In My Mailbox (15)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren. With In My Mailbox, bloggers showcase the books and other bookish goodies they received over the past week.

My book haul is light this week, which is definitely a good thing for my wallet.

Bought:
-If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

I'm so happy to have this book in my possession! I will definitely be reading it soon!

Bought (Kindle):

-Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

I'm super excited to try out my first Rainbow Rowell book because I've heard such great things! Though I will admit that my main reason for wanting to read this book so badly is because it takes place in the 80's, and I've always felt like I should have lived in the 80's. I LOVE anything 80's! The music, John Hughes movies, the fashion style....and I just can't wait to read this book! Plus, the Eleanor & Park Kindle edition was on sale for $4.99 so I could not resist!

What's in everyone else's mailboxes this week?

Waiting On Wednesday (22) - Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine. Waiting on Wednesday is where bloggers post books they are anxiously waiting for. And without further ado...

Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow

Hits Shelves on October 29, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Synopsis
In the world of Sorrow’s Knot, the dead do not rest easy. Every patch of shadow might be home to something hungry and nearly invisible, something deadly. The dead can only be repelled or destroyed with magically knotted cords and yarns. The women who tie these knots are called binders.

Otter is the daughter of Willow, a binder of great power. She’s a proud and privileged girl who takes it for granted that she will be a binder some day herself. But when Willow’s power begins to turn inward and tear her apart, Otter finds herself trapped with a responsibility she’s not ready for, and a power she no longer wants. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
Everybody sees those arms creeping toward the girl, right? Just checking. This book seems vaguely reminiscent of Sabriel, and I'm also thinking of the three Fates, Moirai, who spun, measured and then cut the threads of life. But anywho, this book sounds delightfully creepy and just wonderful. I'm really looking forward to it.

What's everyone else waiting for?

In My Mailbox (5)

In My Mailbox is hosted at The Story Siren. It's where bloggers can post all the books and goodies they bought, borrowed, received, etc over the last week.

I really need to stop buying books, but this fall has been full of new releases. And well, books just end up multiplying in my room. They have to be breeding. What would the baby of a Jennifer Armentrout book and a Veronica Roth book look like?

My mom went on a business trip and brought me home souvenirs from the airport. I missed her so. 

Purchased (Columbus Airport): 

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Slammed by Colleen Hoover

The airport bookstore had two bookshelves and she managed to find the only two books worth buying. Thanks Mom! Though I can't stand the movie cover on Perks. Why do they do this? Now I'll just imagine Hermione and Percy as the main characters, and I hate that.

Purchased (Amazon): 

Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1) by Susan Ee

Cursed by Jennifer L. Armentrout (just finished this one!)

Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga #1) by Colleen Houck

I actually already have Angelfall in ebook form, but it finally came out in paperback, and I NEEDED it. I love this book so much, and it is at such a great price. 

Purchased (Kindle app): 

Kushiel's Dart (Phedre's Trilogy #1) by Jacqueline Carey

The cover freaks me out, but I've heard people raving about this series so I thought I'd try it out. Not a bad price on Kindle either. 

What's your IMM or STS? 

Happy reading,

Courtney

Waiting on Wednesday (8) - Prophecy by Ellen Oh

Waiting on Wednesday is my favorite meme because Friday is only two days away and I get all excited about upcoming releases! It's hosted over at Breaking the Spine, and it's where you post a book you're eagerly awaiting and its release date just can't come fast enough.

Prophecy by Ellen Oh
Publisher: HarperTeen
Expected Publication Date: January 2, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
The greatest warrior in all of the Seven Kingdoms… is a girl with yellow eyes.

Kira’s the only female in the king’s army, and the prince’s bodyguard. She’s a demon slayer and an outcast, hated by nearly everyone in her home city of Hansong. And, she’s their only hope…

Murdered kings and discovered traitors point to a demon invasion, sending Kira on the run with the young prince. He may be the savior predicted in the Dragon King Prophecy, but the missing treasure of myth may be the true key. With only the guidance of the cryptic prophecy, Kira must battle demon soldiers, evil shaman, and the Demon Lord himself to find what was once lost and raise a prince into a king.

Intrigue and mystery, ancient lore and action-packed fantasy come together in this heart-stopping first book in a trilogy. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
This book sounds like just my kind of read! Yes, some of its been done before. Seven Kingdoms = Westernos. And Kira's a strong female warrior, an exception in a world where the king's army is all male. Not to mention a prophecy and a romance with a young prince. I mean I'm assuming there will be a romance between Kira and the young prince. But I don't care that it resembles other reads. She has YELLOW EYES! That's enough to gain my interest. Pathetic, I know. Not to mention a Dragon King Prophecy and a Demon Lord. It's been awhile since I read a good book with demons. 

January needs to be tomorrow! I've seen bloggers with this ARC, and I am oh so jealous. But enjoy! And I can't wait to read your reviews.

What's your WoW?

Happy reading,

Courtney

In My Mailbox (4)

In My Mailbox is hosted over at The Story Siren and it's where you post all of the books, book swag, and goodies you received, bought, borrowed, promised your firstborn child for, etc. in the past week.

Kindle books: 

Whispers in Autumn (The Last Year #1) by Trisha Leigh (on sale)

Onyx ( Lux #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout (reading this one now and loving it!)

The Crown of Embers (Fire and Thorns #2) by Rae Carson (definitely reading this next!)

Purchased (Target):

Soul Screamers Volume 1: My Soul to Lose | My Soul to Take | My Soul to Save by Rachel Vincent

3 books for the price of one? You bet my Lucky Charms I bought this! Even though one's a prequel. I've been hearing great things about this series. And banshees? Heck to the yes! 

What's your IMM or STS?

Happy reading, 

Courtney

Feature and Follow #6

Feature and Follow is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Two blogs are featured every week and it's a chance to find new followers and amazing new blogs to follow in return.

This Friday's question is...drumroll please...

What hyped up book do you think was worth all the talk?

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Publisher: Feral Dream

Release Date: May 21, 2011

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

It's difficult to find a negative review of Angelfall, and for good reason. I loved every page of this book! It was a fantastic read. Don't let the low pricing fool you. This book can be found at crazy low prices and it's still amazing! The paperback edition just came out, and I'll be definitely buying it. I want to physically hold it in my hands (creepy, I know). Cannot wait for the sequel!

Here's my Angelfall Review!

What's your hyped up book you loved?

Happy reading, 

Courtney

Wishlist Wednesday (3) - A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I decided to mix things up this week and post for Wishlist Wednesday instead of Waiting on Wednesday. Wishlist Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Pen to Paper where you post a book that is on your wishlist (could have just made it on there or it may have been haunting you for awhile) and that you can't wait to own.

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Publisher: Walker Books
Release Date: March 5, 2011
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Wishing I discovered this book in my local bookstore and I was immediately drawn by the cover and the artwork inside. I may not be a child anymore, but I still love pictures! From just the cover, it looks like some creepy version of The BFG. If you are a devoted follower, you know I love me some dark stories with children and menacing monsters. I must be messed up in the head. But this book has gotten such wonderful reviews so I will have to try this out. It was just added to my endless Amazon wishlist and I hope it is removed soon.

What's on your wishlist or what are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Happy reading,

Courtney

In My Mailbox (3)

In My Mailbox is a meme hosted over at The Story Siren where you showcase all of the books and goodies you received over the last week!

Money makes me a dangerous woman. I have to fight the urge to spend. And not on shoes or purses or clothes. I have the rare occasion where I want a Fossil purse or a summer dress.  My real weakness is literature. I have to resist the temptation to buy stacks of books. So my first paycheck created a monster.  See for yourself. 

Plus, I used to be good at photography but I'm mediocre at best now. That flash is killing me. 

Purchased (from Amazon and Barnes and Noble):

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan 

Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

Won (from Ensconced in YA):

Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake 

Library:

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

I finally won a book from a giveaway! I won a signed copy of Girl of Nightmares from Ensconced in YA, and I'd like to thank Christina for hosting the giveaway and Kendare Blake for signing and sending the book (oh, and for writing it of course)! I love Anna Dressed in Blood and look forward to reading this sequel! Here's what Blake wrote since it might be hard to see: 

For Courtney!

Hope you like a little blood. or a lot...

Happy nightmares! 

K Blake

Don't worry, Blake. I don't mind blood, and I love creepy books!

Last but not least, I just purchased Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce from my local bookstore. The cashier informed me that Jackson is actually female. Wow, I love that her name is Jackson, and I'm excited to read this!

That's my IMM. What did you guys get this week?

Happy reading,

Courtney

Waiting on Wednesday (7) - Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted over at Breaking the Spine where you post a book that you can't wait to read once it's released.

Nobody by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Expected Publication Date: January 22, 2013
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis There are people in this world who are Nobody. No one sees them. No one notices them. They live their lives under the radar, forgotten as soon as you turn away. 

That’s why they make the perfect assassins.

The Institute finds these people when they’re young and takes them away for training. But an untrained Nobody is a threat to their organization. And threats must be eliminated.

Sixteen-year-old Claire has been invisible her whole life, missed by the Institute’s monitoring. But now they’ve ID’ed her and send seventeen-year-old Nix to remove her. Yet the moment he lays eyes on her, he can’t make the hit. It’s as if Claire and Nix are the only people in the world for each other. And they are—because no one else ever notices them. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting I'm drawn to books with assassins. And books where assassins can't kill their targets. It's inevitable then that I would be interested in this book. I just love this cover and the premise. The idea of being nobody. It's so devastating and fascinating all at the same time. Plus, I've been more and more attracted to science-fiction books lately, and this looks like one I would definitely enjoy. Can't wait! 

What's your WoW? 

Happy reading,

Courtney

In My Mailbox (2)

I wasn't going to do In My Mailbox this week because I'm waiting on books that have yet to come! :( But I decided to anyway. And next week's will be so much more awesome because my mailbox will be singing like on Blue's Clues. Well, not many books will be arriving but they will be GREAT books!

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted over at The Story Siren where you post all the books and goodies you received, borrowed, traded your soul for, etc. during the past week.

E-books (bought from Amazon)
The Child Thief by Brom
Masque of the Red Death (Masque of the Red Death #1) by Bethany Griffin
Partials (Partials #1) by Dan Wells
Obsidian (Lux #1) by Jennifer Armentrout

The first three were Kindle deals. I've been wanting to buy The Child Thief for a long time. So I have to thank Amanda for letting me know it was on sale for only 2.99! Obsidian was just because.

E-book (for review from author for book blog tour)
The Violet Fox (The Violet Fox #1) by Clare Marshall
I'm so excited for my first book blog tour! Can't wait to read this book! It sounds awesome!

What's your IMM?

Happy reading,

Courtney

Waiting on Wednesday (6) - Days of Blood & Starlight and Rebel Heart

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you post a book you are eagerly anticipating. One you just can't wait to be released!

This week, I'm kind of cheating by posting two, but both are sequels to amazing books and I wanted to post them together!

Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Expected Publication Date: November 6, 2012
528 pages, Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a new way of living – one without massacres and torn throats and bonfires of the fallen, without revenants or bastard armies or children ripped from their mothers’ arms to take their turn in the killing and dying.

Once, the lovers lay entwined in the moon’s secret temple and dreamed of a world that was a like a jewel-box without a jewel – a paradise waiting for them to find it and fill it with their happiness.

This was not that world. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
I fell in love with Daughter of Smoke and Bone! It just blew me away! So I'm hoping this book will be just as amazing or even better! Can't wait!

Rebel Heart by Moira Young
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Expected Publication Date: October 30, 2012
432 pages, Dust Lands #2
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion. (Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting
Blood Red Road was another fantastic read and I hope the sequel won't disappoint! I honestly have to stop reading amazing series because then I have to buy more and more books. But these two series are definitely being continued by moi. 

What's your WoW?

Happy reading,

Courtney

Waiting on Wednesday (5) - The Murmurings by Carly Anne West

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you post a book that you can't wait to be released.

The Murmurings by Carly Anne West
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Expected Publication Date: March 5, 2013
384 pages
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
Everyone thinks Sophie’s sister, Nell, went crazy. After all, she heard strange voices that drove her to commit suicide. But Sophie doesn’t believe that Nell would take her own life, and she’s convinced that Nell’s doctor knows more than he’s letting on.

As Sophie starts to piece together Nell’s last days, every lead ends in a web of lies. And the deeper Sophie digs, the more danger she’s in—because now she’s hearing the same haunting whispers. Sophie’s starting to think she’s going crazy too. Or worse, that maybe she’s not…(Goodreads)

Why I'm Waiting I actually saw this on someone's WoW last week, and I was immediately drawn in. The cover looks so creepy and the book sounds awesome! I love how the synopsis is mysterious, hardly giving away anything. But the little it does give leads me to believe this book will be a scary, dark read! Loving it! I'm excited because there are strange voices in this book. Is that normal?

What's your WoW this week?

Happy reading,

Courtney

Recommend A...Book With A Character That Plays A Sport (3)

Recommend A... is a weekly meme hosted by Chick Loves Lit where you recommend a book based on a prompt. This week's is Recommend A...Book With A Character That Plays A Sport.

The Deep End of Fear by Elizabeth Chandler

Twelve years ago Kate's family left the Westbrook estate on a stormy night, just after young Ashley Westbrook drowned in an icy pond. Now Kate, alone in the world, has returned to the estate to tutor another spoiled Westbrook child, Patrick. The seven-year-old says he talks to Ashley by the pond. He does dangerous, deadly things because, he says, "Ashley dared me to." Just as Ashley once dared a shy, little Kate twelve years ago.

But at seventeen Kate is not so easily intimidated by "Ashley" or hostile members of her family or the forbidding housekeeper. Then Sam, the handsome stranger to whom Kate is irresistibly drawn, reveals a tragic piece of the puzzle that connects him to Kate. Sam tells Kate to leave -- either out of concern for her or due to a festering anger, she's not sure. But Kate will not abandon Patrick to the evil that is haunting him and threatens to destroy them all. (Goodreads)

This book is old school. This is the fourth book in the Dark Secrets series, but they are companion novels and don't need to be read in a certain order. Each novel has a different mystery and different characters, but all four take place in the same town. My favorite is probably the first, Legacy of Lies, but they are all great, fast reads. I reread this series SO MANY times in high school. Just countless times. I loved the creepy feel, the suspense, and the romances were always really sweet. They were my guilty pleasure. Plus, Sam plays ice hockey in this book. Probably one of the few books I've read where a character plays a sport. I'm horrible when it comes to sports. As in I'm a danger to everyone. So, I try to avoid reading books about sports. It can be traumatic. 

What's your Recommend A? 

Happy reading, 

Courtney

Feature and Follow Friday #5

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. Two blogs are featured weekly, chosen from last week's Feature and Follow participants. This week's features are Book Me! (I'm an old follower) and Awesomesauce Book Club! The meme also helps bloggers find new blogs to follow and gain more followers. For more details, click the button above. 

This Friday's question is: 

Worst cover? What is the worst cover of a book that you've read and loved? 

Heart of the Falcon by Suzanne Robinson 

Those who know me well know I love anything ancient Egypt (I have an ankh necklace) so I was ecstatic when I discovered this book takes place in ancient Egypt. This is easily one of the ugliest covers I've ever seen, but I loved the book. It was recommended by a friend who loves anything Egyptian too, and it is such a good story and a steamy romance. Definitely adult though, but I wasn't complaining. 

What's your worst cover? 

Happy reading, 

Courtney 

Waiting on Wednesday (4) - The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you post a book that you are anxiously awaiting.

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Expected Publication Date: December 18, 2012
496 pages
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that gets her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government “rehabilitation camp.” She might have survived the mysterious disease that’s killed most of America’s children, but she and the others have been cursed with something far worse: frightening abilities they cannot control.

Now sixteen, Ruby has spent nearly half her life desperately trying to hide the fact that she’s outwitted the camp’s sorting system—that she isn’t powerless, or safe. She’s one of the dangerous ones… and everyone knows what happens to them.

When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. Now she’s on the run, desperate to find the one safe haven left for kids like her—East River. She joins a group of teens who escaped their own camp, pursued along the way by terrifying bounty hunters. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can’t risk getting close to him. Not after what happened to her parents.

When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people who will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Before the end, Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at a life worth living. (Goodreads) 

Why I'm Waiting
A mysterious disease? And frightening abilities they can't control? Count me in! Ruby sounds like she's a kicka** heroine which is a definite plus. Seems like my kind of read. Some suspense, romance, and a dystopian world. And bounty hunters. I love me some bounty hunters. That's a unique touch. This book looks fantastic. And I'm just loving the cover for some reason. It calls to me. Yes, I'm that strange. 

What's your WoW?

Happy reading,

Courtney

In My Mailbox (1)

This is my first In My Mailbox! In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren where you showcase the books you received, bought, borrowed, or whatever in the past week. I can't wait to read all of the books shown below! 

Purchased (Books for Less): 

Delirium (Delirium #1) by Lauren Oliver

The Riddle (Pellinor #2) by Alison Croggon

The Mysterious Howling (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #1) by Maryrose Wood

Unearthly (Unearthly #1) by Cynthia Hand

Hallowed (Unearthly #2) by Cynthia Hand

From library:

Terrier (Beka Cooper #1) by Tamora Pierce

Goliath (Leviathan #3) by Scott Westerfeld

Angelfire (Angelfire #1) by Courtney Allison Moulton

Purchased (Amazon):

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Blood Red Road (Dustlands #1) by Moira Young 

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Oh, and I almost forgot this one. 

E-book (for review): 

Colonization (Paradise Reclaimed #1) by Aubrie Dionne

And I just realized, stupid me, that I checked out the third Leviathan book when I haven't read Behemoth yet. Not the smartest thing I've done. I'm reading Blood Red Road right now! Awesome book so far!

Happy reading, 

Courtney

Feature and Follow #4

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. It's an awesome meme that allows you to find new book blogs to follow and gain followers all at the same time! They also feature two book blogs every week. 

This Friday's question is: 

What blogger inspires you? 

This is a toughie because I follow so many blogs I love. But I think my greatest inspirations are Poetry to Prose, Reading Writing Breathing, and The Bookshelf. But I am inspired by so many more blogs. Like Chapter by Chapter and Nice Girls Read Books. I'm failing majorly at picking just one. Sorry, but all of the blogs I follow are awesome and I am motivated by their awesomeness. 

Plus, my friend inspired me to start a book blog like her. And I love her so much and all of her help! Late Nights with Good Books! Couldn't have done it without her! 

What blogger inspires you? 

Happy reading, 

Courtney 

Waiting on Wednesday (3) - Mystic City by Theo Lawrence

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine where you post a book that you can't wait to be released.

Mystic City by Theo Lawrence
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Expected Publication Date: October 9. 2012
352 pages
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Synopsis
Aria Rose, youngest scion of one of Mystic City's two ruling rival families, finds herself betrothed to Thomas Foster, the son of her parents' sworn enemies. The union of the two will end the generations-long political feud—and unite all those living in the Aeries, the privileged upper reaches of the city, against the banished mystics who dwell below in the Depths. But Aria doesn't remember falling in love with Thomas; in fact, she wakes one day with huge gaps in her memory. And she can't conceive why her parents would have agreed to unite with the Fosters in the first place. Only when Aria meets Hunter, a gorgeous rebel mystic from the Depths, does she start to have glimmers of recollection—and to understand that he holds the key to unlocking her past. The choices she makes can save or doom the city—including herself. -Goodreads

Why I'm Waiting I am in love with this cover! Plus, the premise just sounds awesome. It's fantasy with romance and suspense. Plus, there's the unwanted betrothal and the forbidden love with a rebel mystic. A gorgeous rebel mystic. That's some definite incentive to read this book. And she has to recover her memories. Don't we all love books with amnesiac girls trying to find out what happened? And I'm not talking about waking up the morning after a wild night and not remembering what happened. Anywho, I cannot wait till I get my hands on this book. 

What's your WoW? 

Happy reading,

Courtney

Recommend A...Book With A Blue Cover (2)

Recommend A is a weekly meme hosted by Chick Loves Lit where you recommend a book following a specific prompt. This week's is Recommend A...Book with A Blue Cover. 

Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle

Arriving in the English countryside to live with her mother and new stepfather, Jenny has no interest in her surroundings, until she meets Tamsin. Since her death over 300 years ago, Tamsin has haunted the lonely estate without rest, trapped by a hidden trauma she can't remember, and a powerful evil even the spirits of night cannot name. To help her, Jenny must delve deeper into the dark world than any human has in hundreds of years, and face danger that will change her life forever. . . 

From the writer of The Last Unicorn, Tamsin is a fantastic read for people of all ages. I loved how the English countryside took on an otherworldly feel with the Wild Hunt and the Black Dog. Folktales came to life in this wonderful story. I read this years ago, and I still remember it well because I enjoyed it so much. 

What's your Recommend A...?

Happy reading,

Courtney

Feature and Follow #3 and TGIF #2

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Parajunkee and Alison Can Read. If you'd like to know more, click the button above. 

This Friday's question is: 

What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch? 

Hmmm...I'm thinking. I would have put a little more thought into my earlier reviews. I edited them a little recently. They weren't offering enough information about the book, or at least not as clearly as I wanted. I want my followers to have well-written reviews, and I realized how important that is to book bloggers. Obviously. So I had to hit myself in the forehead for not thinking. :) Reviews need substance, and I put more effort into writing my reviews now.

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TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by GReads! where a bookish question is posed to followers. 

This week's question is: 

Unexpected books: Which books did you have reservations about reading, but ended up loving once you did? 

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley 

It is 2008 and Carrie McClelland can't hit the right note for her next novel, but an unplanned detour in Scotland, and a stop at the castle that inspired Count Dracula, sets her on a different path; a path that took her back in time exactly 300 years, to that same castle, and to a rebellion doomed to failure. Alternating between the contemporary setting and the past, The Winter Sea takes us at every turn into little known worlds; historical footnotes writ large, a history of Scotland and the Jacobite rebellion of 1708 and the possibility of genetic memory. Historical fiction at its best and Susanna Kearsley at hers, The Winter Sea evokes the writing of Thomas Raddall, Daphne Du Maurier, and Mary Stewart. 

-Goodreads

This book was a random pick, and I was worried it would be cliched or the story would just fall flat. I was wrong. I loved it! I want to travel to Scotland so badly, so the setting appealed to me, and the descriptions were breathtaking. Plus, a wonderful story and romance. Loved it! 

I can't wait to read everybody's answers! 

Happy reading,

Courtney