Book Review - Entice by Carrie Jones

Entice by Carrie Jones

Synopsis
Zara and Nick are soul-mates - they're meant to be together for ever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, Nick is dead, and has been taken to Valhalla, a mystical resting place for warriors. If they can find the way there, Zara and her friends will try to get him back. But even if they do, Zara has turned pixie - and now she's Astley's queen! Meanwhile, more teenagers go missing as a group of evil pixies devastates the town of Bedford. An all-out war seems imminent and Zara and her friends need all the warriors they can find...


My Thoughts
 
'Astley Astley where art thou my Astley' oh sorry wrong book but hey a girl can dream right. Carrie has captivated me again with Entice the 3rd book in the Need Series all the pixie dust that was sprinkled over me as I sped through the pages of Entice it seems to be taking me forever to stop shimmering.
 
Entice continues after captivate on the hunt to save Nick and to say I was trailing along with a hope That Zara would save Nick but settle for Astley as he is so sweet is an understatement, yeah yeah I know what your thinking but after many losses she does save Nick but the outcome is still to be determined so my hopes are not knocked down yet so for all you Zara and Nick fans calm down he he. The characters remain strong and Zara is beginning to blossom as a Pixie I'm really looking forward to seeing how she develops towards the end of the novel as a few interesting things in Entice was revealed that left me thinking.
 
I'm sure looking forward to the next in the series, its not to everyones tastings hell I was all eww pixies but as many of you now know I have a whole lot of love for this series full of gold dust trails and pixies and I wouldn't lie to you in saying you need to take the leap if you haven't already and pick it up........I will make pixie lovers out of the world yet ;o)

What To Look Out For In January (UK RELEASE)

Please note more will be added to this for the month of January(6th - 31st), please feel free to tell me if there are any I have missed...Please dont steal and if you use please credit The Readings of a Busy Mom

6th January

Immortal Beloved by Cate Tiernan

Balefire Omnibus (bk 1-4)

The Replaement by Brenna Yovanoff

Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Dark Secrets 3 by Elizabeth Chandler

Eighth Grade Bites by Heather Brewer

Ninth Grade Slays by Helen Brewer

The Betrayal of Natalie Hargroves by Lauren Kate

Mortal Kiss by Alice Moss

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

XVI by Julia Karr

January 7th

Forsaken by Jana Oliver

Inside Out by Maria V Snyder

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent



January 11th

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Other Words for Love by Lorraine Rosenthal

Timeless by Alexandra Monir

All Just Glass(The fifth book in the Den of Shadows series) by Amelia Rhodes

Splendour Falls by Rosemary Moore

Warped by Maurissa Guibord

20th January

The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Bloody Valentine by Melissa de la Cruz

January 25th

Vesper by Jeff Sampson -

Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright, Catherine Hardwicke



Book Review - Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen

Bright Young Things by Anna Godberson

Synopsis
The year is 1929. New York is ruled by the Bright Young Things: flappers and socialites seeking thrills and chasing dreams in the anything-goes era of the Roaring Twenties.



Letty Larkspur and Cordelia Grey escaped their small Midwestern town for New York's glittering metropolis. All Letty wants is to see her name in lights, but she quickly discovers Manhattan is filled with pretty girls who will do anything to be a star…


Cordelia is searching for the father she's never known, a man as infamous for his wild parties as he is for his shadowy schemes. Overnight, she enters a world more thrilling and glamorous than she ever could have imagined—and more dangerous. It's a life anyone would kill for . . . and someone will.

The only person Cordelia can trust is Astrid Donal, a flapper who seems to have it all: money, looks, and the love of Cordelia's brother, Charlie. But Astrid's perfect veneer hides a score of family secrets.

Across the vast lawns of Long Island, in the illicit speakeasies of Manhattan, and on the blindingly lit stages of Broadway, the three girls' fortunes will rise and fall—together and apart. From the New York Times bestselling author of The Luxe comes an epic new series set in the dizzying last summer of the Jazz Age
 
My Thoughts
 
Becoming a part of Cordelia and Letty's adventure in Bright Young Things has truly been a highlight on the beginning to my year one that I wont forget easily. Anna writes with a flowing passion that grips your insides and drags you along for the ride even when it slows down with pace it doesn't take long to speed back up again and en lite you with the scandals and the happenings that will shock all..as believe me I didn't expect what happened at all.

The reader can truly relate to the female characters, three girls who were  normal regular girls that lived in a historical time. Anne's descriptions of  locations, people and moments made me feel like I was right there they where so thought out and perfect for Bright Young Things. I would say there was never a dull moment but then it would be somewhat unnatural like life there are always dull moments but its what came after those moments that mad you want more......
 
I definitely recommend BYT to all, it is truly a great addition to any book shelf and if the contents was not enough the cover is lush too......

Well HELLO New Year - Whats coming uo on TROABM

HAPPY NEW YEAR ALL

I hope it is a great one full of love and happiness and all things that make you smile.

Well with my feet firmly on the ground and my eyes in recovery mode lets start the New Year with a list of the upcoming reviews this week on The Readings of a Busy Mom

Ghost Town by Rachel Caine

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

The Immortals: Dark Flame by Alyson Noel

So while I catch up around the globe of book bloggers and share the new year new me love I hope your all well and enjoying the cold beginning to 2011.

 

Trailer Tuesday

Its that time of the week to share some amazing book trailers with you all



Nightshade by Andrea Cremer



Entice by Carrie Jones

What other trailers are you oving right now?

Oh How I Missed Thee

OK so I have been missing for what feels like forever but I can tell you I'm back but be warned I may end up in hospital again soon if this bump don't cut me some slack ;o) but with the new phone that the hubster gifted me I'm hoping I an keep you all in the know. Since being pregnant I have had some awful luck I was admitted into hospital for sever vomiting where I  developed double vision and sever migraines and whilst in hospital my house was burgled so we have been in the process of finding somewhere more safe and secure :o)

My problems have persisted and I have been in and out of hospital for testing ever since, things are getting slightly better but I understand that this can go sour again at any point on the lighter side I'm now nearly 23 weeks pregnant and The Bean seems to be doing well, my vision has returned and although there are occasions I still see double i can read again which believe me is a relief.

So there is the low down for all those that have been worried and emailing me, I'm going to try and post regularly and i have many reviews coming your way including the wonderful Nightshade by Andrea Cremer all I can say for now is WOW!!!!

So tell me what you all been reading...I feel so behind

Book Review - Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush Hush 2)

Synopsis
Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away, and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.


The farther Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim blood line has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch, or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine
 
My Review
Ok so first off can I say how mad I am with the cliff hanger on this book I mean GRRRRR! it sucks big!! how am I meant to last a whole year until the 3rd Novel is released I mean Just as I was thinking things couldn't get any worse on Nora and Becca goes and ends the final page in her Crescendo story with and ending like that...poor poor Nora (until next year anyway :o).)

Crescendo is a continuing journey of twists and turns that keep your hands turning the pages right to the very end! Nora becomes a tad independent in this novel but her inability to listen sends me insane (I must say she is a typical girl, I mean we are all stubborn) she goes out alone in Crescendo trying to find her own 2 feet and not falling off them which believe me she does on more then one occasion but damn I love this girl and her ways, she sure does make the book so much better.

I'm besotted with Becca's addictive writing style, not many hold the continuous drug like style that holds your attention time and time again not once did I waver and I completed the novel within 3 hours. I would say it is a sure read one that will have you screaming at the ending!!

Book (mini) Review - Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Synopsis
For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life
 
My Review
This review is coming to you after the second time reading of Hush Hush as I wanted my memory fresh for Crescendo but my feelings have not changed I loved it as much as the first time and if not it was much sweeter.
 
Becca writes a smooth and addictive novel that leaves the hands restless and the heart aching for more, her characters are compelling leaving much to the imagination. The main character Nora can be a little a tad annoying but this I like about her it suits her character and as she grows in the book you see why shes the way she is and she warms on you....Patch was a little more of a mystery to me I had this love hate relationship with him and when I hated him I hated him bad and when I loved him I was besotted.
 
What does it for me more then the characters is the story line....one that starts of a  little dull but captivating changes into a can't put you down, need to consume every word read. The journey Nora is taken on is addictive and your left with a need for more to know more of everything and to know more of who and what Patch is!!
 
I definitely recommend this read for EVERYONE who has not read it all ready as I have a feeling that Crescendo will be hot hot hott!
 
Happy Tuesday xx

30 Days of Gratitude(2)

So it has come around to week 2 of my 30 weeks of bookish gratitude and this week I'm grateful for trees....

If it was not for the trees around us we would not have the book shelves we have to store our books on or the books we read and we all know there is nothing better then the smell of a new book that the trees around us produce.

Tell me what are you grateful for this week I would love to know and it don't have to be book related.

Book Review - Touching Darkness by Scott Westerfeld

Midnighters 2 - Touching Darkness by Scott Westerfeld

Synopsis
Bixby, Oklahoma, is full of secrets. Some come out at midnight. Some should stay hidden.



As the Midnighters search for the truth about the secret hour, they uncover terrifying mysteries woven into the very fabric of Bixby's history, and a conspiracy that touches the world of daylight. This time Jessica Day is not the only Midnighter in mortal danger, and if the group can't find a way to come together, they could lose one of their own . . . forever.
 
My Review
I became a fan of the Midnighters series after reading  and reviewing book1(here)  not so long ago so I was eager to start book 2 but it wasn't what I expected. I felt a little let down but at the same time satisfied.

Touching Darkness is a great 2nd in the series but for me it wasn't enough and yet and the same time it was, there where times when I felt I couldn't put it down and then suddenly I was in a state of I couldn't allow myself to read anymore, its action packed and gives us more history to The Secret Hour  and maybe the history is what made my interest float a little but when that was done with and we was down tot he nit and grit I really enjoyed reading Touching Darkness.

Although this isn't a fave book of mine I would still highly recommend reading it as I feel that it is certainly an element of the novels and I'm looking forward to starting book 3 Blue Noon to see where it leads me I still have high hopes yet!!!

Book Review - Torment by Lauren Kate

Torment (Fallen2) by Lauren Kate

Synopsis
How many lives do you need to live before you find someone worth dying for? In the aftermath of what happened at Sword & Cross, Luce has been hidden away by her cursed angelic boyfriend, Daniel, in a new school filled with Nephilim, the offspring of fallen angels and humans. Daniel promises she will be safe here, protected from those who would kill her. At the school Luce discovers what the Shadows that have followed her all her life mean - and how to manipulate them to see into her other lives. Yet the more Luce learns about herself, the more she realizes that the past is her only key to unlocking her future...and that Daniel hasn't told her everything. What if his version of the past isn't actually the way things happened...what if Luce was really meant to be with someone else?

My Review

OH MY GOD this book was totally awesome!!!!! I can honestly say it lived up to all my expectations and more and not only has it had me reading none stop the past 3 hours from when I started it to the very last page it has left me yearning and needing more and I have officially decided the lovely Lauren Kate is no longer Lovely but a big meanie who likes to torment her readers with this tormenting but fabulous 2nd in the Fallen novel.

Torment has a few new additions but the main characters still remain Luce has grown on me tremendously in Torment , it feels like while she has grown on me she has grown as a person, shes opening up to many possibilities and is very unsure of the world around her....it gives that whole you go girl but at the same time let me just smack you up the head a little I mean hello Daniel we need him!!!! The two additional chums that get included in this Novel is Shelby the yoga mad Nephilim and Miles the I'm so in love with you Luce kinda guy they are total opposites but IMO there good for Luce and her Developing Character.

I can honestly admit that my heart and soul has been racing through this book wanting to give each character a Lil what for I mean how dare they do this to me but I must say it feels good to be on the edge of my chair in suspense needing every bit that I can consume as its been a first in a long time that I have found a book that isn't predictable, I mean I'm stunned and feel I can't even write a real review without it containing wow 1000 times I would love to give you all the gory details but I wont as I'm not that mean.... but here it goes for what I can say without giving too much away to my readers who have not read this novel as of yet - the ending sucks big time and waiting for the 3rd novel in the Fallen Series Passion is going to KILL ME.

Happy Reading xxx

A little Rant

I have been receiving a few emails since I have started my blog which I choose to ignore, the reason for this is 'It doesn't mean ll that much too me what others think regarding a book'

OK so up until I have read a book I avoid all reviews regarding it as when I start a book I start it fresh like its the first book I have ever read, once I have read, written and posted my own review on 'the book I have just read' I like to surf and find out what others felt about the book and 9/10 I hear this

'It was too much like twilight'

'It resembles crescendo'

and so on and so forth blah blah blah...so what if there are a few similarities, I notice them but that doesn't entitle it to a bad review I judge a book purely by what I think about it not what or how others feel or felt when they read the book. You could tell me a book was really bad but I will still give it a shot and see how it is and if I don't like it then I will say so, but it takes alot for me to really dislike a book.

So the next to my readers pick up a book I advise you to think of it as the very first book you have picked up, new book, new author and nothing else matters....don't put it down because there are similarities to another story you have read if you are liking it, give it a shot and finish it you may just be surprised to how much you do like it!!!

Book Review - By Midnight by Mia James

By Midnight by Mia James

Synopsis

April Dunne is not impressed. She's had to move from Edinburgh to Highgate, London, with her parents. She's left her friends - and her entire life - behind. She has to start at a new school and, worst of all, now she's stuck in a creepy old dump of a house which doesn't even have proper mobile phone reception. Ravenwood, her new school, is a prestigious academy for gifted (financially or academically) students - and the only place her parents could find her a place, in the middle of term, in the middle of London, on incredibly short notice. So she's stuck with the super-rich, and the super-smart . . . and trying to fit in is when the rest of the students seem to be more glamorous, smarter, or more talented than she is, is more than tough. It's intimidating and isolating, even when she finds a friend in the conspiracy-theorist Caro Jackson - and perhaps finds something more than friendship in the gorgeous, mysterious Gabriel Swift. But there's more going on at Ravenwood than meets the eye. Practical jokes on new students are normal, but when Gabriel saves her from . . . something . . . . in the Highgate Cemetery, and then she discovers that a murder took place, just yards away from where she had been standing, April has to wonder if something more sinister is going on. . . . and whether or not she's going to live through it . .

My Review

When I first brought this book it called out to me from my to be read pile but due to it being on the waiting list(this book worm has dead lines):o) i didn't get to read it straight away but when I did finally pick it up I really enjoyed it, so much so that it is still fresh in my mind when I'm now writing the review a few weeks later.

By Midnight was a slow paced novel,and as many know slow paced vampy novels are not normally my thing but By Midnight left me with this sweet taste of understanding and high expectations.

The main character April is a sweet character who comes off a little dipsy shes going through all these emotions and then shes thrown into this world of murder and mystery and is left with no one to turn too. April gets strong, she gets aware of her surroundings and she becomes interesting....I really like this about her and I like that she doesn't trust too easily either.

By Midnight is a great beginning for Mia James (Tasmina & John Perry) yeah I will admit there are mistakes but don't most debut novels have those pin point mistakes, me i looked past those as they didn't really shout out at me and it certainly didn't stop me from wanting more of those day walking non sparkling vampires - roll on book 2!!!

30 Days of Gratitude(1)

So I decided to tell you all what I'm grateful for once a week every Monday.

This will be things that as a Busy Mom makes my life a little easier, allows reading time to become more often or plain old what I like to do when I sit and read

This week I'm grateful for:

Children's Books

Because if it wasn't for those little hardback pages of fun and cheerfulness I wouldn't be able to have those extra chapters read each day - especially when its an 'I hate to have to put you down' kinda book.

What are you grateful for? I would love for you to tell me or take a picture, blog it and link me up theres nothing more then a little shared gratitude

Book Review - Matched by Allie Condie

Matched by Ally Condie - Released Novemeber 30th 2010
Synopsis
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.


Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion

Review
Well, Well, Well what can I say other then WOW!!! I heart you Ally you have entered my life with a bang and I am sure left wanting a whole lot more.

Living in UK the hype for this novel was a little delayed but being a follower of many American Ladies I was down on the 'I so want that' list a long time before I could afford to as when I need a novel I need it bad, so when I was asked to review Matched I literally done a happy dance here in my living room.

Allie writes with a deep passion that engaged my attention from the first page and kept me going all through the night her characters where well thought out and where surely ones to keep you thinking about :o)
Cassie the main character gripped me by the cuff of my neck and had me loving her and the way she took on everything that was thrown her way but then the way she jumped from this innocent naive girl to a fighter after so much slowly unravels made me love her even more. I was left with this feeling that nothing is ever as it seems, there is always a hidden story and I loved every piece my mind eat up, it also left me asking what would I do if every thing I did or planned to do would be controlled? Probably the same!

Matched lived up to all my expectations and then some and if you want to know am I tempted to re-read it then be sure it wont be long before I do as I'm so eager for the next part (boohoo to cliffhangers). Its a sure addition to all my readers book shelves and many of my book club girls have already decided to reserve it as I promise it's one you will regret not reading f you don't!

And if you don't believe me, here is the trailer to leave you drooling :o)

Well hello world, Oh how I have missed thee!

So im back after decorating and moving and waiting for my internet, phoneline and cable to get fitted I have read like crazy and wrote reviews via word which will be slowly but surely added here.

So watch this space I have lots in store <3

Follow my Blog and Hop Friday

Hey all, its that time of week again when we share our love for each others blogs, if you stop by my blog today leave me some love so i can return to your blog and say hello

For those of you who don't know, Book Hop is hosted over at Crazy for Books and you can learn all about it by clicking on the link and visiting the great site. Follow My Book Blog Friday is hosted over at Para Junkee so stop by to check it out.

Don't forget to leave some love so I can come and follow you in return

Trailer Thursday

Two Amazing trailers to feast your eyes upon today,

I hope they make you as excited as they made me..

Enjoy!!

Saving Max by Antoinette Van Heugton

Lies by Michael Grant

Book Review - Tall, Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare

Tall Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare

Synopsis
The reckless, rakish younger brother of a powerful duke, Lord Benjamin Westfield transforms into a wolf under the light of the full moon-until one fateful evening when he doesn't change and his life is shattered. Fearing he may never be able to change again, Benjamin sets out for Scotland in search of a witch who can heal his inner beast. The noble werewolf is drawn to the beautiful young woman, but what does he have to offer in this broken state?

My Review
Tall Dark and Wolfish is the second book in the Westfield Brothers and I must admit it was my favourite from the 3 novels....I mean WOW! I love how all the charm of the characters came to life in the book and made it feel so real....if only it was I mean we all love a little wolf in our stories ;o)

 I was a little afraid of this book as I didn't want to give up on my Love for the 3rd book in the series The Wolf Next Door, I was smitten with William the middle brother out of the 3 but starting Benjamin's story only gave me a greater love for Lydia's writing and her passion for doing what she does best and of course that is write. Lydia take's you on an exciting journey one that is full of love, fire, passion, wit and a little fierceness from the ladies and if all that wolf isn't enough then I'm sure you will fall for the witty witch Elspeth a Scottish lass who of course has her coven sisters to fight where needed even if means getting the weather and vines to do the dirty bidding...in both good and bad ways of course.

I truly love this series completing each book in less then 3 hours and not even leaving a slight crease down the spine.....and to think I have to wait for a companion novel - The Taming if The Wolf I know it will be hell but I am sure it will be worth the wait!!

Full Links to series reviews

Book 1 - A Certain Wolfish Charm

Book 2 - Tall Dark and Wolfish

Book 3 - The Wolf Next Door

Happy Reading....

xxx

Better and Back

First of all I need to apologise! I have been so ill that my blogging has suffered but I can assure you that I am on the mend and I will be back with reviews, interviews and giveaways with news for you all so stay tuned the fun begins tomorrow.

Thanks to all those that sent get well wishes I really enjoyed reading all your messages they really made me smile

xx