Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Title: The Night Circus
Author: Erin Morgenstern
Publisher: Anchor
Pages: 512
Release Date: July 3rd 2012 (September 13th 2011)
Series: -
Where I Got It: My sister

Synopsis: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER 
The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. 

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

Erin Morgenstern

Erin Morgenstern is a writer and a multimedia artist, who describes all her work as "fairy tales in one way or another." She grew up in Marshfield, Massachusetts. She currently lives in Boston, Massachusetts with two very fluffy cats.

Review

I read this book on February 23rd 2014.

This book is a book that a reader will either love. Or hate. Unfortunately, I was one of the reader's that didn't like it. I'm not saying everyone will, but I personally did not.

If I'm being completely honest, this book is lacking quite a few things. For starters, there is a large amount of imagery in this book. So much so that it took over the plot of the book, or lack thereof. I would have much rather preferred this book not have so many stories going on at once. There was, it seemed, almost 6 different stories going on at once. My favourite story was Bailey's story, and my favourite character was the twins. They seemed to be funny and Widget made me laugh out loud, he was one of the few things I actually enjoyed in this book.

I felt this book was dragged on for far to long and could have easily been made into a book with less than 500 pages. I felt if you got rid of so much of the imagery, it could have been about 250 pages.

The Night Circus disappointed me in many ways. I'd heard amazing things about this book and expected more, but instead just wanted it to be over with. The only thing worse than putting the book down was the torture I had to go through reading it when I picked it back up. The story was just dragged on and got so out of hand in the end. And I felt some of the things done in this book and said happened to early.

Some of the things I did like in this book was the tricks some of the magician's did. It was cool to see Celia grow up. Although, I did not like the end, the love story was entertaining, but not enough for my taste. It seemed as if the love between Celia and Marco was happening because they were bound to each other. Also, it seemed some of the many stories in this lengthy book weren't all satisfactory in the end. I was slightly disappointed with the ending of The Night Circus, but was also happy to see more of Widget.

Again, there are some people out there that will adore this book and buy it in all it's additions. Then there's the people who didn't like it as much as the others. They are the one's the adorers are buying these copies from.

Ages: 16+

Grade: 10 and up

Book Blitz - Lost in Us by Layla Hagen + 2 GIVEAWAYS

BOOK SYNOPSIS & COVER

Lost in Us by Layla Hagen

Release Date: February 17th 2014

Synopsis: Serena has learned to live with her past, locking her secrets and nightmares deep inside her. But when her boyfriend of six years abruptly leaves her, she’s catapulted back into pain, nursing a broken heart. When indulging in mountains of chocolate doesn’t work, Serena decides the best way to deal with her shattered heart is to indulge in something else. A rebound . . .

The night she swaps her usual Sprite for tequila, she meets James. The encounter is breathtaking.
Electrifying.
And best not repeated.

James is a successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley. A man who has amassed a fortune by taking risks. A man who has shunned commitment completely, and still does. He’s the exact opposite of Serena. But sometimes opposites attract. Sometimes they give in to burning passion. Sometimes opposites are perfect for each other.

James is everything her damaged soul could want. His kisses are intoxicating, his touch out of this world. He makes her forget. He grants her peace from her pain. But as they grow closer, Serena discovers she isn’t the only one with a past. James carries the scars of a past much darker than hers. One that has left him damaged, hurt, and wary of love. A past that gives him the power to shatter her.

Now James and Serena must find a way to mend one another. Or risk losing each other forever.

Advanced Praise

“OH MY GOODNESS. This book was excellent. There were absolutely no reasons to give this novel less than five stars. I was not expecting this. Lost in Us is a New Adult Romance and it is COLLEEN HOOVER good! Yes, I said it - you could put this book up against the leading New Adult Romance authors and it would hold its own.” J.P.Grider, author of The Honor Trilogy

“Layla blew me away with her début novel Lost in Us. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book and by the end of the first chapter I was hooked. Funny, emotional and heart wrenching.” Shona Reid, reviewer at Fiona’s Book Review Blog

AUTHOR BIO

Layla Hagen

My name is Layla Hagen and I am a New Adult Contemporary Romance author.

I fell in love with books when I was nine years old, and my love affair with stories continues even now, many years later.

I write romantic stories and can’t wait to share them with the world.

And I drink coffee. Lots of it, in case the photo didn’t make it obvious enough.

Website

Goodreads

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Q & A

Random facts about me and Lost in Us:

• James was initially called Liam... because I had a crush on Liam Hemsworth. I got over it in the meantime (am now crushing on his brother Chris) :-D

• I love chocolate as much as Serena does. Unfortunately I can’t get away with eating as much of it as she does.

• I wrote a *certain* steamy scene on a piece of paper—on the back of which I then printed an official letter. Which I sent. Oh, the joy of being a writer

TEASER PICTURES

EXCERPT

"Red suits you," a voice calls behind me. I'm suddenly very grateful for being squeezed in, because my knees seem to have turned to rubber. But my relief only lasts for a few seconds, because the music starts and everyone around me disperses, moving to the dance floor. 

I don't fall. I can't move, either. 

When he finally comes into view, my breath is cut short. There is something about seeing his beautiful blue eyes behind a mask that makes every inch of my skin burn. 

So it wasn't the tequila last night. 

"Dance?" He extends his hand. 

"I can't dance." Out of the corner of my eye I see Sophie watching us, crestfallen.

"That makes two of us," he says, though unlike me, he doesn't sound panicked in the slightest. I really can't dance. Especially not waltz. But he doesn't lower his hand, and instead of protesting further, I raise my hand and place it in his. As if in slow motion I see him putting his other arm around my waist, and pulling me so close to him that I feel his every breath against my skin. This doesn't help the burning sensation. At all. 

"You came," he says and his lips curve into last night’s same conceited smile.

"I make a habit of honoring my invitations," I say, surprised by how aggressive I sound. I bite my lip and look away, fixing my gaze on the highest point of the glass arch. 

"Did you and your friend arrive home safely last night?"

Small talk. Fantastic. 

"If safely includes Jess throwing up twice on the way home, then yes."

"Quite a party girl, your friend," he says appreciatively. 

"What makes you think I'm not one?" I regret the question instantly. Thinking that a former math whiz kid isn't the most hardcore party girl at Stanford is not an absurd conclusion to draw. 

But his answer takes me by complete surprise. 

"Having a steady boyfriend usually means you spend your free evenings and weekends… otherwise."

"You asked Dani to spy on me?" 

"Of course not," he says with fake affronting. "I just know how to get the info I need from her."

"What happened to old-fashioned questioning?" 

"It's old-fashioned," he answers with a smirk. "I like to consider myself modern."

"Make that lazy and sneaky." I finally unhitch my gaze from the ceiling and look him in the eyes again. They are so much darker than a few minutes ago. 

He tightens his grip on my waist. "Fine. Tell me three things about you."

I try to put on my most serious look. "I grew up in London and San Francisco, used to play volleyball in a minor league, and want to work in investment banking." Did he really think I'll make it easy for him?

"Let me rephrase," he smirks. "Tell me three things about you I won't find in your CV. Three dreams."

The next sentence rolls out of my mouth despite my firm resolution to torment him by not really telling him anything about me. Especially not the weird things.

"I want to taste every single recipe in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, get myself kidnapped by elves and locked up in Rivendell, and attend the midnight release of the next book about the wizarding world that I know Rowling will write. If that last thing fails, I want to learn how to fly on a broom, at the very least."

He bursts into a cascade of laughter. But it's not in the slightest mocking or mean. It's warm and heartfelt. 

And loud. 

"Your turn," I say, in an attempt to stop him, because we are attracting less-than-friendly stares from the couples around us. "Stop laughing like a maniac and tell me three things about yourself. Three fears."

He laughs for a few more seconds before assuming a solemn face. 

"I hate snakes and always keep a light on when I sleep. And I suffer from chronic commitment phobia."

His words hit me like a whiplash. Amazing how lighthearted and playful he throws them at 

"So I've heard," I say, trying—and failing—to keep my voice steady. 

"I wanted to make sure you know it from me," he says in a soft voice. Yet for all the softness, it still feels like whiplash. 

"That's very considerate of you." 

Why do his words have this impact on me? Why do they have any impact at all? I guessed a while ago how things are. I wish we weren't dancing so I could run away. Put as much distance as possible between him and me. My wish is not far from being granted. Though I haven't listened to many waltzes in my life, I'm sure the orchestra is playing the ending tones right now. 

I try to distance myself from his intoxicating presence, but his grip on me is firmer than ever. 

"I saw how you were looking at me in that bar," he whispers with urgency. 

Crap, so Jess wasn't exaggerating. I do my best to put on the poker face she mimicked on our way home, then I remember I have a mask on anyway.

"Why did you invite me here?"

"Why did you come?" he asks, and there is a slight uneasiness in his voice. 

"Because you invited me," I answer as sardonically as possible. 

"I was curious," he says quietly.

GIVEAWAY

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Catching Heat by Allison Packard INTERVIEW & GIVEAWAY

Catching Heat by Allison Packhard
Publisher: Carina Press
ISBN: 9781426897788

ASIN: B00GKBHITE
Number of pages: 267

Word Count: 87,000

Buy Links:
Amazon
BN
iBooks
Kobo

Synopsis:
Life has taught Angie DeMarco that all baseball players are womanizers, and her incredible one-night stand with sexy San Francisco Blaze back-up catcher J.T. Sawyer seemed to prove it. Determined not to give in to their sizzling chemistry a second time, she’s kept her distance ever since, focusing on her accounting job with the team. But now she’s laid off…and pregnant.
J.T. was hurt by Angie’s rejection, but with one more year with the Blaze, he has no time for love. He needs to spend the off season training hard so he can negotiate a better contract with a new team at the end of the year. But when Angie shows up on his doorstep, he‘s overwhelmed by wanting to not just do right by her but pursue a relationship with her. Hoping for a second chance, he proposes.
Angie agrees to marry J.T. on one condition: the marriage will be purely a business arrangement. But as Angie spends time with him and his family, and J.T. neglects his training to spend time with her, what begins as a union in name only slowly grows into something more—something that looks a whole lot like love and friendship.

Allison Packard
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Alison now lives in Southern Nevada where she’s still getting used to the blistering summers and slot machines in every grocery store. 
When not working at the day job that pays the bills, keeps a roof over her head, and supports her book and chocolate habits, she spends most of her free time writing. But when she takes a break, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her family and friends.



INTERVIEW

1. Why did you decide to start writing stories?

I started writing as a hobby. I wrote fan fiction for my favorite soap opera couple on General Hospital for several years and then one day I decided to find out if I could do more than fan fiction. I wanted to know if I could go from weaving stories about an established and popular soap opera couple to creating a full length book with characters no one already knew or cared about. And if I could, would anyone publish it? As it turned out, I could and Carina Press took a chance on me and published it.

2. How did you come up with the idea for your first book?

I’ve watched soap operas since I was a teenager and I wrote fan fiction about soap opera characters, so it seemed fitting that my first book would be set in the soap opera world. My first book, Love in the Afternoon, is the story of Sean Barrett and Kayla Maxwell, two actors on the fictional soap A New Dawn, who fall in love when their characters are paired together on the show.

3. Do you ever base your characters off people you know?

Good question. Although I’ve used a few names of people I know, I haven’t yet used anyone I know or with whom I’m acquainted with as character models. But in my Christmas novella, A Christmas for Carrie, I did use a tragic incident in my late grandmother’s past as a part of the story.

4. Was there ever a time in your life that you included in one of your books?

Nothing super exciting has ever happened to me (except getting published, of course! LOL) so I haven’t used any of my own life experiences or events in my books. But I have used places I’ve been to as settings. I grew up in Northern California and have used my personal knowledge of the area in my books. 

Quick questions:

Favourite tv show? Nashville

Favourite food? Mexican

Favourite past time? Reading

Favourite desert? Anything chocolate!

Favourite movie? Dirty Dancing

Giveaway

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Cover Reveal - Uncovering You by Scarlett Edwards & GIVEAWAY

COVER

AUTHOR BIO

Scarlett Edwards

I live near beautiful Seattle, Washington. I grew up reading all types of fantasy books before discovering the wonderful world of romances in high school. Now, I spend most of my time writing about sexy men and the women who love them.

Website
Goodreads
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GIVEAWAY

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Cover Reveal - Fury by Clarissa Wild

Hello everyone! So it's been a while since I've really done a post by me, myself and I. After this cover reveal, I will start to do some more reviews and book hauls (still need to get up January's!). Anyway, some of you may have seen that I read a book, a little while back called Fierce by Clarissa Wild. Remember that? In case you don't here's the information for Fierce.

Synopsis: Fight for your dreams. Fight for your life. Fight for love. 

Nerdy girl Autumn Blakewood is the prime example of a goody two-shoes. She studies every night, is never late for class, and always follows the rules. She has never felt the need to step out of her comfort zone. That is, until she meets Hunter.

Hunter Bane is a cocky, confident bad-boy, who's nothing but trouble. He’s a dangerous distraction to everyone around him. Sexy and strong, Hunter enjoys the swooning effect he has on women. Especially those who aren't used to attention, like Autumn.

Autumn finds it hard not to give into Hunter’s advances, even though it all seems like a game to him. Trying to understand him is impossible, because he shrouds himself in mystery. 
What she doesn't know is that Hunter has more baggage than anyone should have to carry. When she discovers he's in an illegal frat club to save the one person that matters to him, Autumn realizes this could mean the end of her undeniable connection to him. Even their lives are at risk.
But it's too late to turn back now...

My Review

Clarissa Wild

Clarissa Wild is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

Check out my sexy books
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So the #1.5 is coming out for this series! Get excited, because now, FURY is from Hunter's point of view! Yup, Fierce is from Autumn's point of view, and now we get to read it from HIS point of view!

FURY releases on March 17th 2014, so look for it on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Below is the synopsis for FURY.

Synopsis: Would you risk everything for love?

Life has held nothing but hardships for Hunter Bane. Growing up with a learning disability wasn’t easy, especially when you’re poor. With only his brother to support him, Hunter clings to the short moments of happiness in life. Like when he meets Autumn Blakewood.

Autumn Blakewood is a geek at heart. Reading is her passion, and she can’t spend one day without her books. She’s always locked up in her room studying, trying to avoid trouble. Until Hunter comes into her life.

Hunter can’t resist the temptation to get closer to Autumn. She is his complete opposite, and yet he’s drawn to her in ways he can’t explain. But when his brother is caught dealing drugs and sent to prison, Hunter’s world shatters.
To save his brother, Hunter has to join the gang he’s feared his entire life. Now he’s forced to choose between his family and the one girl he loves. Fighting for both, his fury is all he needs…

Want to see the cover for this book? Here it is!

Cover Reveal - All Lined Up by Cora Carmack

We're extremely excited to bring you the cover for ALL LINED UP, the first book in Cora Carmack's highly anticipated Rusk University Series! ALL LINED UP is a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). It is due to be released on May 13, 2014!!

 

ABOUT ALL LINED UP:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

 

Dallas Cole loathes football. That's what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn't always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It's obliterated.

Dallas doesn't know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn't know that Dallas is his new coach's daughter.

And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

“Laughter + heartache + hot sexual tension = the perfect Cora Carmack book.”

—Monica Murphy

Pre-Order Links: 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iTunes   

 About Cora Carmack
Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She's done a multitude of things in her life-- boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Links: Website Twitter Facebook Author Goodreads 
ALL LINED UP Goodreads

Cover Reveal - The Queen of Zombie Hearts by Gena Showalter

Today is the day! The cover of Gena Showalter's THE QUEEN OF ZOMBIE HEARTS is here! We're so excited to be able to share this with you as it joins an already stunning set! Ready to see it? Not quite yet lets take a look a the first two covers in the series!

First there was ALICE IN ZOMBIELAND...

Then came THROUGH THE ZOMBIE GLASS...

Now get ready to EAT YOUR HEARTS OUT!!!

Official White Rabbit Chronicles website

On-sale date: Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Add it to your TBR!  Goodreads

Pre-order your copy! 
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Official book description

I have a plan.

We'll either destroy them for good, or they'll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice "Ali" Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She's ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It's then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn't the girl she thought she was. She's connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole's mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

About Gena:
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the wildly popular 

White Rabbit Chronicles, the Angels of the Dark, the Lords of the Underworld, and the Otherworld 

Assassins series. In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and RITA nominee, her romance 

novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, and have been translated in multiple 

languages. She lives in Oklahoma with her family and menagerie of dogs, and truly believes love 


conquers all.

Giveaway Details:

1 complete set of The White Rabbit Chronicles (first 2 sent as soon as the giveaway is over and the winner will get the first hardcover of book 3 when it's available!) US/Canada Only.

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Waiting on Wednesday #1

So I've never really done one of these, but I'm gonna try because I know there are books that I need to tell people about cause I'm so excited for them!

This week, the book I'm most excited for is...

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

New Adult Romance

Pixie and Levi haven't spoken in nearly a year when they find themselves working―and living―at the same inn in the middle of nowhere. Once upon a time, they were childhood friends. But that was before everything went to hell. And now things are... awkward.

All they want to do is avoid each other, and their past, for as long as possible. But now that they're forced to share a bathroom, and therefore a shower, keeping their distance from one another becomes less difficult than keeping their hands off each other. Welcome to the hallway of awkward tension and sexual frustration, folks. Get comfy. It’s going to be a long summer.

Release Date: March 4th 2014

I'm excited for this book, and got an ARC from NetGalley, so hopefully my review will be up ASAP!

Review: Three Broken Promises (One Week Girlfriend Quartet #3) by Monica Murphy

Title: Three Broken Promises
Author: Monica Murphy
Publisher: Bantam
Release Date: December 31st 2013
Pages: 304
Series: One Week Girlfriend Quartet #3
Where I Got It: Barnes and Noble

Synopsis: Breakout New Adult sensation Monica Murphy returns with a hot new contemporary romance—a heartfelt story of second chances, forgiveness, and redemption.

Commitment. That’s what I really want from Colin. Ever since my brother, Danny, died in Iraq, Colin’s done so much to help me, including giving me a job at his popular restaurant so I can leave my crappy waitressing job at the strip joint. But lying in bed with him every night to comfort him from his horrible nightmares isn’t enough anymore. I know he feels guilty about Danny’s death, about not going to Iraq, but I can’t keep living this double life. 

I love him desperately, but he’s got so many demons, and if he can’t open up to me now, then he’ll never be the real partner I need him to be. I gave him a month, and now I’m out of here. If he truly loves me like he says, he knows where to find me.

Monica Murphy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series. She writes new adult and contemporary romance for Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as Karen Erickson. A native Californian, she lives in the foothills below Yosemite.

Review

I read this book on February 11 2014.

It's so good to read something where the couple knew each other since they were so young! I honestly wish I could have had that connection with someone the way Colin and Jen do!

Colin and Jennifer were a good, cute couple and I wanted them together the entire time the book was going, but it was like the book couldn't hear my yells and screams. I thought that Jen could be very annoying sometimes. I personally liked reading Fable and Drew's story better, I think it was because I liked Fable better. She reminded me of myself more. Jen just seemed a little... awkward to me. I didn't like the way Jen and Colin's story was. What I mean is how they were childhood friends (I actually love this), and she had an older brother. He happened to be her brothers best friend. It wasn't this that bothered me, it was how Danny died, and she would always comfort Colin. But they always acted as if nothing happened. This made me angry because I wanted to see a real relationship, and you could see it buried under all their freaking baggage. They both had so much baggage, it was another thing that dragged the story down.

I wasn't very happy with how long it really took for them to know they were made for each other. As for Colin, wow. He was actually very hot and I appreciated him, although his constant blaming himself was annoying. I didn't understand how they couldn't just help each other get though it. Anyway, Colin was definitely one of the guys I really like. I really like Monica Murphy's writing style and plan to read Four Years Later, which I'm overly excited before because we get to return to a world of Drew and Fable again.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy New Adult heavy reads or like Monica Murphy in general.

Ages: 16+

Grades: 11 and up