Cover Reveal: Lucid Soul

I had a lot of fun designing this one! It turned out really pretty and the author and I agree that the whole tone and feel of the cover completely conveys the same about the book.

Summary:
After being one of the world’s top models, Allura is unstoppable in the Exemplum Agency and is also on the board of directors. Life is all glitz, glamour and parties, since all of Allura's wishes seem to come true - until one of them leaves someone dead.

As Allura tries to piece mysterious visions of an ethereal eldritch woman that seems to come to her during certain moon phases, she meets Eric who seems to understand her – almost too much. Once it is revealed to her that Allura's life goes far beyond this realm, she must understand the mystical powers surrounding her and who she can truly trust.

Seeking the truth of her visions, of the stars, ethereal dreams, and the people of Exemplum Agency itself, Allura must discover the reason for that lurking power within – and why death seems determined to tear her world apart.

Release date coming soon!

 Ruined (Ruined #1) by Amy Tintera
My Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars

Summary:
A revenge that will consume her. A love that will ruin her.

Emelina Flores has nothing. Her home in Ruina has been ravaged by war. She lacks the powers of her fellow Ruined. Worst of all, she witnessed her parents’ brutal murders and watched helplessly as her sister, Olivia, was kidnapped.

But because Em has nothing, she has nothing to lose. Driven by a blind desire for revenge, Em sets off on a dangerous journey to the enemy kingdom of Lera. Somewhere within Lera’s borders, Em hopes to find Olivia. But in order to find her, Em must infiltrate the royal family.

In a brilliant, elaborate plan of deception and murder, Em marries Prince Casimir, next in line to take Lera’s throne. If anyone in Lera discovers Em is not Casimir’s true betrothed, Em will be executed on the spot. But it’s the only way to salvage Em’s kingdom and what is left of her family.

Em is determined to succeed, but the closer she gets to the prince, the more she questions her mission. Em’s rage-filled heart begins to soften. But with her life—and her family—on the line, love could be Em’s deadliest mistake.

My Thoughts:
3.75 stars. There was a lot I really loved about this book, namely Em and her two best friends and their relationship, the setting, though I would've loved to know a bit more about this world. I did really like Cas and Iria, as well. I did feel that Cas was quick to forgive Em for a certain thing that happened, or maybe not forgive, but look past maybe too easily. I felt that would be really hard to do, regardless of his growing feelings for her.

Overall, I really did enjoy this story and will continue with the series, but my biggest complaint, which I hope is addressed in the next book, is the magic system. It was not explained very well, or at all, really. Some people have magic. That's pretty much the extent of what I know from the first book. We got some examples of what certain people with magic could do, but I really need to know more!

 Format: Kindle eARC provided by Edelweiss

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
5 out of 5 stars

Summary:
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

My Thoughts: 
I have the worst book hangover!! That was incredible, exceeded my expectations by 1000%. This book gave me a raging case of the swoons, but that ending?!? Way to obliterate my heart! Needless to say, I went to sleep with thoughts of murdering a certain High Lord.

This book was EVERYTHING.

I don't know what to do with my life now...help! More to come....

Ghost Gifts by Laura Spinella
5 out of 5 stars

Summary:

All Aubrey Ellis wants is a normal life, one that doesn’t include desperate pleas from the dead. Her remarkable gift may help others rest in peace, but it also made for an unsettling childhood and destroyed her marriage. Finally content as the real estate writer for a local newspaper, Aubrey keeps her extraordinary ability hidden—until she is unexpectedly assigned the story of a decades-old murder.
Rocked by the discovery of a young woman’s skeletal remains, the New England town of Surrey wants answers. Hard-nosed investigative reporter Levi St John is determined to get them. Aubrey has no choice but to get involved, even at the terrifying risk of stirring spirits connected to a dead woman’s demise and piquing her new reporting partner’s suspicions.
As Aubrey and Levi delve further into the mystery, secrets are revealed and passion ignites. It seems that Aubrey’s ghost gifts are poised to deliver everything but a normal life.

My Thoughts: 
I really didn't expect to love this book as much as I did. It took me a bit to really get into it and, honestly, I was thinking it would be added to my DNF pile. But every time I started thinking about not finishing it, something else in the story would grab hold of me. So, by 35%, I was in. I really, thoroughly loved this book. It was light on romance, but the small amount of romance in it was very good. And that scene, (if you've read it, you know which scene I mean) was really, REALLY good. *sigh*



*Received as a Kindle First Selection*

Menagerie by Rachel Vincent
5 out of 5 stars

Summary:
When Delilah Marlow visits a famous traveling carnival, Metzger's Menagerie, she is an ordinary woman in a not-quite-ordinary world. But under the macabre circus black-top, she discovers a fierce, sharp-clawed creature lurking just beneath her human veneer. Captured and put on exhibition, Delilah in her black swan burlesque costume is stripped of her worldly possessions, including her own name, as she's forced to "perform" in town after town.

But there is breathtaking beauty behind the seamy and grotesque reality of the carnival. Gallagher, her handler, is as kind as he is cryptic and strong. The other "attractions"—mermaids, minotaurs, gryphons and kelpies—are strange, yes, but they share a bond forged by the brutal realities of captivity. And as Delilah struggles for her freedom, and for her fellow menagerie, she'll discover a strength and a purpose she never knew existed.

Renowned author Rachel Vincent weaves an intoxicating blend of carnival magic and startling humanity in this intricately woven and powerful tale.

My Thoughts:
Amazingly written, darkly fascinating and strangely hopeful, thought-provoking, and extremely unputdownable! As a fan of Rachel Vincent, I was eagerly anticipating this book release and I was not disappointed in the least. She once again proves what a fantastic writer and storyteller she truly is. I cannot wait for the next installment of this fascinating new series.

 

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
5 out of 5 stars

Summary:
When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

My Thoughts: 
Wow. I don't think any other book I read this year will even come close to how insanely fantastic this book is. It's a shout-it-from-the-rooftops, buy-a-copy-for-everyone-you-know, re-read-it-constantly, sleep-with-it-under-your-pillow, carry-it-everywhere-you-go kind of fantastic. Just read it. That is all.

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor
5 out of 5 stars

Summary:
Around the world, black hand prints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Thoughts:
Wow. Just wow. I'm not sure why it took me this long to finally pick up this book and give it a try. I kept stalling or deciding to read something else. But finally, FINALLY, I picked it up and I'm so thrilled that I did! This is one of the best books I've read in awhile. This isn't really a review. I just had to gush and spill all the feels I have for this book. Even though I've only just read the first book, I can say definitively that this series is shooting up near the top of my all time favorite series...it's THAT good! And the writing, don't even get me started on the brilliance of the writing! I'm in love with this book :)

Anyone who knows me, knows that books are a huge, important part of my life. Reading is my favorite thing to do, so it was only natural for me to make a book lovers series of products.

These are perfect for your fridge, memo board, locker...basically anywhere you want to use a magnet that shows off your love of the written word! Get them as a gift or for yourself!

This set can be found in my shop:
Book Lovers Magnet Set

~Click the image to enlarge~

Here's a BRAND NEW magnet set!! Jane Austen quotes set against vintage-style backgrounds. Enter below to win this set for yourself or to give as a gift!!! These are great for memo boards, refrigerators, lockers, etc.

♥ Magnets measure 1.75" x 1.75"
♥ I use super strong Neodymium Rare Earth magnets; can hold up to 10 sheets of paper!!
♥ Sealed with several coats of satin finish sealant for durability.
They can be purchased in my shop here.

Winner will be chosen randomly and announced Friday, right here in this post! Once a winner is announced, I will contact them for shipping information.

a Rafflecopter giveaway