livinginthebooks

[livinginthebooks]

Loving the Earl by Sharon Cullen

Based in Europe, the story starts in Dover (England) traveling to Paris (France) with Venice (Italy) as the main destination for our main lady (Claire Hartford). This is a historical romance (fictional).

Lady Claire has been widowed for a year and has decided that she needs to find her own person - be her own person - without a man (dead husband, brothers, or friends of brothers) dictating her life. She sets out from England to travel through Paris and on towards Venice.

Due to situations that she finds herself in, she looses her first lady’s maid and the majority of her funds/means to funds stolen from her before even leaving England.

Her oldest brother has sent his friend (Nathan Ferguson, Lord Blythe) to chaperone her to Paris. Nathan ends up being travel buddies with Claire the remainder of her journey, but neglects to inform her that her brother asked him to keep watch. She believes it is all a happy chance of occurrence.

There are some crazy situations that she finds herself in, both alone and with Lord Blythe. Which, he (Lord Blythe/Nathan) is also on the journey for his own reasons.

The book is a nice read, if you enjoy time-period romances. It is not as long-winded as some others (-looking at Outlander series-), and written well. Both Claire and Nathan are characters that become real to you, and you want them both to reach their happiness (obviously, with each other).

#netgalley historicalromance sharoncullen lovingtheearl

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Erotic Exchanges by Nina Kushner

Now I remember why this was in my Kindle folder of “Read, Awaiting Review” but I could not remember anything about it.

The book premise seemed like an interesting, and possibly educational/historical, read on the Parisian professional sex scene (modern sugar babies?).

I just could not get into the writing. It was almost like reading an interview or investigation file....but also, written where it was trying to be in the form of maybe a story.

It was not the book for me. I have a wide range of book plot/topic/category interests, but this just was not my flavor. I’m sure there are plenty out there that may enjoy the book, if educational type of historical writing is your thing.

#eroticexchanges ninakushner netgalley

[livinginthebooks]

Oceanborn by Amalie Howard

Following the conclusion of Waterfell, this book takes place a few months after Nerissa left Lo on land while she went back to Waterfell to try to settle the courts (or something).

This book was slightly less predictable than the previous, and slightly more enjoyable. It was easier to connect to the characters emotions/feelings.

There are more hybrids to be taken care of, and the fact that both Nerissa’s mother and the crazy scientist (once) principal is still on the loose. Now, there is more going on in the courts within Waterfell AND Lo has gotten ill.

The book did end on a plot twist of a cliffhanger, and there does not seem to be any word of another book to follow through. 

Overall, the second book is better than the first, but I would still consider it a 3/5 star rating - which is still the middle ground.  

#oceanborn #amaliehoward #netgalley #waterfell

[livinginthebooks]

Waterfell by Amalie Howard

This book is both unique and predictable. The premise of the story is a refreshing way to go about having an under-the-sea princess. It is not a mermaid retelling, which is something that needs to be known going into the book.

The book is about one Nerissa Marin, who lives in California with the ocean as her backyard, with her handlers (guardians) and their son. Nerissa is the heir to the throne of Waterfell - having left before her father’s death - located in the Mariana Trench.

Her species are not of the mermaid variety, though some are able to shift between human and sea creature form.

As most stories go, there’s a boy. She isn’t suppose to fall for human males, but...of course. 

The plot twists are mostly predictable. Nerissa is goes from being completely mad at someone to forgiving them the next moment - or jumping to conclusions and acting on poorly thought out impulses.

The book was not that bad. Would I recommend the book? If you wanted something supernatural and slightly immature - then yes. I’m stuck between possibly not enjoying the book while also still wanting to continue the series (why is there no third book?!).

So, that would be a 3/5 in star ratings.

#waterfell amaliehoward #netgalley

[livinginthebooks]

Marissa Meyer’s Gilded (Sampler)

Thanks to Netgalley, I was gifted the opportunity to read the first ten chapters to the upcoming Gilded from Marissa Meyer. 

Gilded is a fairy tale retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and the spinning gold from straw. The sampler ended with, who I presume to be, Rumpelstiltskin appearing before our Main Female Character, Serilda.

So far, I will be picking up the book when it is released because I do want to continue the story and see how it plays out (and how it is told). I am a fan of Marissa’s previous works and this book seems to be another well written story from her.

The first chapter did start out a tad slow, but it quickly gained my attention by the second chapter.

As the description for the book suggestions: this is about an eighteen year old girl (Serilda) who is cursed by the god of lies and has a pension for telling stories. On a night of a Wild Hunt, she tells a story (lie) to the Erlking in an attempt to help two forest maidens - only for him to have her brought to him at a later time to test her story.

The story being tested is the premise of Rumpelstiltskin - Serilda told the Erlking that she was able to spin straw into gold. She now has until an hour before sunrise to spin the straw in her cell into gold. This is where the tenth chapter stopped, with Serilda begging for the straw to turn to gold and a mystery man appearing in the room with her.

And, I cannot wait to read the rest of the story.

#gilded marissameyer netgalley sneakpeek rumpelstiltskin fairytaleretelling

[livinginthebooks]

Back From The Dead

It has been a bit since I’ve been here, and the one lone book review post. There were some medical problems, while moving, working, going back to school and being a single parent. So, lots were going on and I had to take a break from reading and reviewing - not that any reviewing really got done, which is the problem.

I am about five years overdue. So, not that far back at all (sarcasm).

However, I am now back and will be trying to review something (not always a new or upcoming book) at least once a week.

<3

[livinginthebooks]

I’ve shared individual ones before, but I’m not sure which ones. So here’s a collection of the first 10 Like—>Try—>Why reader’s advisory graphics I’ve made for the library. 

[livinginthebooks]

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater - Review

If you haven't read The Raven Boys, for whatever reason, go read it. It wouldn't be completely useless to not read it...well, actually, maybe a little. This is a series, The Dream Thieves is the second book - The Raven Boys being the first.

  The Raven Boys is about a group of four, male, friends that are searching for a lost, long dead, king. Finding said king has a genie type ending - you get something in return. It also involves Blue, the only female of this group, who's entire family are psychics. Blue is not, but she's a walking energy source that they can tap into to supercharge their own abilities.

  (Richard) Gansey is the leader, more or less, of this little group - he's also 'destined' to die soon - he doesn't know this, Blue does. Ronan is the rebel and disturbing secrets that are brought to light in this second book, The Dream Thieves - the title is a huge hint. Adam is determined to do everything without anyone's help and is starting to finally break. Noah, he's dead and is such a sweetheart.  Noah is not in this book as often I'd like! But, understandably as to why. Blue has to work through her feelings for the guys and everything that happens throughout.

  This book was a good change from following Gansey on the search for Glendower, to following Ronan. You learn more about his family and more insight as to why he's angry. He's haunted by nightmares - quite realistically sometimes. When his father was killed, the Will stated his brothers and him weren't allowed back on their property. Which opens up more determination for Ronan to return.

  While this book was closer to Ronan, it didn't exclude Glendower or the Ley Line search. Things happened that did make it more difficult to continue in their quest, which almost kept Noah away from the story quite a bit. We do see Adam still struggling, now because of Cabeswater (and Blue).

  Adam is effected in ways from the Cabeswater incident from The Raven Boys. He deals with a bit and everything stacks onto his wondering over Blue not kissing him.

  We are introduced to two new characters that are in relation to everything that goes on in Henrietta in some way. Another Algionby boy, who likes egging on Ronan and a mystery Mr. Gray who was sent to Henrietta because of the Ley Line.

  I was beyond excited for this book and it didn't disappoint. If you haven't read The Raven Boys, read it. If you have read The Raven Boys, go get The Dream Thieves.

#The Dream Thieves #The Raven Cycle #Ronan Lynch #Aglionby Boys #The Raven Boys #The Dream Thieves Book Review #The Dream Thieves Review #Maggie Stiefvater

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“What really knocks me out is a book that, when you’re all done reading it, you wish the author that wrote it was a terrific friend of yours and you could call him up on the phone whenever you felt like it.” ― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

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Finally Finished Dream Thieves!

Like the title says: finally finished Maggie's second book in the Racen Boys cycle, Dream Thieves. I don't have the time at this moment to make an amazing review. It definitely gets an amazing review and I need good amount of time to make one perfect! If you read Raven Boys, read Dream Thieves. It is better than the first book and so addicting. I hated when I had to put it down! Next book is Hellen The First Trojan horse. I hope it quenches my historical wants! Can't wait.

[livinginthebooks]

Great, more books to add! Not a bad thing...

I’ve shared individual ones before, but I’m not sure which ones. So here’s a collection of the first 10 Like—>Try—>Why reader’s advisory graphics I’ve made for the library. 

[livinginthebooks]

So true.

[livinginthebooks]

Concur

The new Harry Potter is gonna be set in the 1920’s and so was the Great Gatsby. Jay Gatsby saw a green light across the lake I’m not saying death eaters but death eaters

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Almost Done!

I've got about 15% of Dresm Thieves left - then review. It's truly amazing, though. Ah, so good. Everyone has to buy it.

[livinginthebooks]

Simply getting to know the person behind the blog. ;). Kinda ironic while asking anonymously lol.

So I see.

[livinginthebooks]

True story.

"Are you guys closed?"

"Well. The mall's still dark. The store's lights aren't on. And the gate is shut....probably."

There Are 2 Primary Types of People Who Come To GameStop

Those who can’t tell we’re open when there are people in the store and the gates are up… And those who can’t tell we’re closed when it’s after hours and the gates are down.

[livinginthebooks]

Customer: I wanna get an iPod Touch please.

Me: Okay, we have these iPod Touches in stock. Which one would you like?

Customer: I’d like the 3rd Gen Touch 32 Gig.

Me: *Rings it up* That’ll be 156.72

Customer: *Hands over $80*

Me: Okay, that’s 80 dollars.

Customer: *Hands over $20 more*