The Sweetest Spell Review

The Sweetest Spell

By Suzanne Selfors

 
Summary

WELCOME TO ANGLUND, A FAIRY-TALE KINGDOM WHERE CHOCOLATE IS ONLY A LEGEND.

Emmeline Thistle, a dirt-scratcher's daughter has escaped death twice-first, on the night she was born, and second on the day her entire village was swept away by a flood. Left without nothing and no one, Emmeline discovers her rare and mysterious ability-she can churn chocolate, a delicacy more precious than gold.

Suddenly, the most unwanted girl in Anglund is desired by all. But Emmeline wants only one- Owen Oak, a dairyman's son, whose slow smiles and lingering glances tempt her to believe she might someday be loved for herself. But others will stop at nothing to use her gift for their own gains-no matter what the costs to Emmeline.

Magic and romance entwine in this fantastical world where true love and chocolate conquer all.

What I Loved

Story

In this world chocolate isn't created from cocoa beans, but with magic and that magic has disappeared from the world. Gasp, a world without chocolate isn't some place I could live happily. Our wonderful character Emmeline the dirt-scratcher people of the kingdom has been given the gift to make precious chocolate and now every greedy hand wants her. From beginning to end I didn't want to put this book down, I was completely entranced with every bitter and sweet moment that happens to Emmeline on her journey.

Characters

Emmeline Thistle: Not the common perfect character we usually read, but a girl reject by everyone in her village because of her misshapen foot and odd affinity with cows. Even with everyone treating her like trash she still has remained sweet and kinda, in a way a little of a Cinderella story. She won't let anyone or anything break her spirit and I love that about her, she is a wonderful character. 

Owen Oak: What a wonderful guy and I love that he doesn't judge people. His passion and protect instincts are admirable. 

Romance 

There isn't romance in the since of kissing and actually showing attraction towards each other, but internal feelings that have yet to be expressed towards the other. 

Stand Alone

I believe this is a stand alone book. I love reading single novels without series, with how many books I have that are series I enjoy reading individual books.

Didn't Like 

Nothing, I just hope Suzanne writes more fairy-tale stories like this.

Recommendation 

Great read for all those who love to read fairytales and love those sweet stories.

Releases 

August 21st 2012

Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

Information 

Other YA Novels
Saving Juliet
Mad Love
Coffeehouse Angel

Are you a chocolate lover?

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Hearts of Darkness Review

Hearts of Darkness

By Kira Brady

Summary

In the first of a dazzling new romantic trilogy, one woman’s courageous search plunges her into a millennia-old supernatural war—and an irresistible passion…

Nurse Kayla Friday has dedicated her life to science and reason. But for her, Seattle is a place of eerie loss and fragmented, frightening memories. And now the only clue to her sister’s murder reveals a secret battle between two ancient mythologies…and puts Kayla in the sights of lethally-sexy werewolf mercenary Hart. He’ll do whatever it takes to obtain the key to the Gate of the Land of the Dead and free what’s left of his soul. But seducing the determined Kayla is putting them at the mercy of powerful desires neither can control. And as the clock ticks down to hellish catastrophe, the untested bond between Kayla and Hart may lead to the ultimate sacrifice.

What I Loved

Paranormal 
Lots of shape shifters and magic that the vast majority of the public doesn't know about.
Location 
Love it when books are located in Seattle, my home state. Love being able to say I have been there to that location they are mentioning. Seattle is also the best location due to us being a natural hot spot for paranormal activity. (You can see a picture of mine I took when I went to Gas Works Park, mentioned in the book.)
Story
Fantastic! Perfect amount of romance with an awesome amount of paranormal creatures and happenings. The story was filled with adventure and mystery, never a dull moment in the whole book.
Characters
Kayla: She is a fun personality, I really enjoyed her character. She doesn't fall apart easy and stays relatively strong considering what she has to deal with the death of her sister. 
Hart: The social reject, got to love him. He is perfect for Kayla and I adore his weakness he develops around her.

Didn't Like Figuring Out

It took me a chapter or two to figure out what type of paranormal parameters this world has. I didn't read the prequel before I read this one, I do plan on reading it one day. But as any new book goes, I figured it out soon enough.

Recommendation 

Fantastic read for those who read and love paranormal romance.

Information 

Deadglass Trilogy

Hearts of Fire 0.5

Hearts of Darkness

Hearts of Shadow May 2013

Hearts of Chaos February 2014

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Bookography #46

Bookography

Bookography is a fun new way to share the beauty of books with photography. Take a picture with the book being the focus or inspiration and share the picture(s) you have created for the week.

Two Seattle Book Locations

Gas Works Park

The Gum Wall

A friend that moved from Seattle to Australia got married and brought his wife to visit family and friends and show her around. We went to The Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park, Pike Place Market, The Original Starbucks, The Gum Wall and the Pier. I forgot to take pictures of a few of the other structures that we visited without anyone standing in the picture. So I'm just going to show these two locations that have been featured in books.

Have you been to Seattle and seen either of these two attractions? Have you read about these two locations being in books? Eventually I want to add all the known Seattle locations to theses posts.

If you would like to participate please do. I will post my Bookography post each week on Wednesdays. I would love if you would link back to my blog and share your own link in the comments.

 

To see my previous weeks pictures check out my Bookography tab 

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Cold Fury Review

Cold Fury

By T.M. Goeglein

Summary

Jason Bourne meets The Sopranos in this breathtaking adventure

Sara Jane Rispoli is a normal sixteen-year-old coping with school and a budding romance--until her parents and brother are kidnapped and she discovers her family is deeply embedded in the Chicago Outfit (aka the mob).

Now on the run from a masked assassin, rogue cops and her turncoat uncle, Sara Jane is chased and attacked at every turn, fighting back with cold fury as she searches for her family. It's a quest that takes her through concealed doors and forgotten speakeasies--a city hiding in plain sight. Though armed with a .45 and 96K in cash, an old tattered notebook might be her best defense--hidden in its pages the secret to "ultimate power." It's why she's being pursued, why her family was taken, and could be the key to saving all of their lives.

Action packed, with fresh, cinematic writing, Cold Fury is a riveting and imaginative adventure readers will devour.

What I Loved

Action 

I have always been a fan of action packed books and movies and this book is filled with it. I was always wondering how Sara Jane was going to get out of her current mess and what the next step would be. I never had to skimming through the pages waiting for it to pick up. 

Character

Sara Jane: She is awesome! I love characters who know how to kick-ass, is logical and doesn't loose her cool in a really tough and hard situation. Her life is literal in shambles as she struggles to learn her families hidden secrets while on the run from a few different groups. 

Touch of Power

This is one of those magical realism books, only a little ability is added to enhance the value of the person wielding the ability. Definitely makes the book even better.

Didn't Like

When I first started reading the book I didn't know if Cold Fury was a stand alone book or a series, it is a trilogy by the way. When I was getting near the end and realizing she only had chapters to reunite with her family I came to the conclusion that more books would follow. This made me both sad and happy. I want more books, but I also want to know how she is going to rescue her family. I guess I just have to wait for the next two books.

Recommendation 

Awesome read. Very light on the romance and perfect for male or female readers who love action packed books.

Information 

Cold Fury Trilogy

Cold Fury

Book 2

Book 3

Do you like kick-ass female heroines?

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Top 10 Tuesday (20)

Top 10 Tuesdays

Topic: Top Ten Posts That Would Give the Best Picture of Me

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

The majority of my posts that I chose have to do with being at events, taking pictures and having lots of fun. I want to show my blog readers that I not only love books, but I love meeting the authors who write them.

Marissa Meyer Cinder Launch Party Event

This was a wonderful and fun event. I loved taking pictures and writing an event recap for this event. Marissa has linked this recap on her blog and has used some of the pictures on her blog and Facebook as well, which makes me extremely proud.

Never Eighteen Launch Party Event

I meet Megan while at Meyer's launch party, while I wasn't able to read her book before the event I read it after and still attended the event. It was fun and again I had fun taking pictures and seeing some familiar faces.

Alexander Smith and Robin Wasserman Event

This was so much fun, I absolutely adore Alex and I loved all the props he brought to present. Alex ended up still the show and Robin described herself as the opening act.

The Last Echo Launch Party

Yes another launch party I was able to attend. I love Derting, this was the third time I have meet her and it has been fun because now she knows me and who I am. I love that to some authors I am actually a known reader. 

Fierce Reads Event Recap

When I attend 1 author events I will remember what the authors say and write it down, but on multi author events I have given up, it gets to crazy. Now I just take lots of pictures and try to capture the entertainment of the evening. At this event I actually meet up with some local bloggers and had dinner before the event.

Dark Days Fall 2011 Tour

For this event I was actually asked by Harper to be the official event blogger. I recorded the event and took pictures. I put a lot of time into this event and post, it was exhausting and lots of fun.

Author Interview

My very first author interview with Alexander Gordon Smith. I later got to meet him which make the experience event better.

My last favorite posts are some of my favorite Bookography pictures I have taken. I'm very proud of how my photography skill has progressed over the last year. 

Looking For Alaska

I was initially taking these smoke pictures just for fun and to do this for the first time. While I was going through them I realized that this picture looked like the cover of Looking for Alaska. I do want to take these smoke pictures again, it was a lot of fun.

Illusions 

I didn't start out with this picture in mind, I was first trying for a refraction picture but I wasn't liking. As I adjusted I ended up with this picture and I really liked the end result.

Snow White

An in the pages picture that I really liked. I took this picture around the time one of the Snow White movies came out.

What are your posts that best describe you?

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Rift Giveaway

*CLOSED*

Giveaway

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

*CLOSED*
Win a signed copy of Rift 

Open only to US (sent via publisher)

Ends Wednesday August 8th at Midnight Pacific Time
Winner has 24 hrs to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Must answer the question on THIS post and FILL OUT FORM HERE

Question:What are you most excited about for this prequel? 

or

What do you like about this cover?

Make sure to follow all directions or you will be scratched
Answer the question on this post
Fill out the form
Before the end of 8/7/12
Respond within 24 hrs
*CLOSED*
No go and may Lady Luck be on your side


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Top 10 Tuesday (19)

Top 10 Tuesdays

Topic: Top Ten Vivid Worlds/Settings in Books

This meme is created by The Broke and the Bookish, anyone can participle telling about their top 10 topic items are.

1. Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey

This world is amazing, not just the cultures Jacqueline has created, but the gods as well and Elua's precept "Love as Thou Wilt"

2. Middle Earth

I don't really have to say more

3. Oz

Another no brainer

 4. Dark Dynasties by Kendra Leigh Castle

Come on, I want a man that purrs! 

5 Harry Potter

I want to be a wizard, hands down. Forget being a lame muggle, I want to weird plants or creatures living in my garden.

6. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

3 separated parallel worlds, our world without magic, the in-between with little magic and the magical realm with lots of magic. 

7. Theatre Illumanita Trilogy by Lisa Mantchev

This world is crazy cool, anything and everything could be possible when written by Bertie

8. Eon by Alison Goodman

This world has dragons, it just sounds amazing.

9. Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini

Another epic world with dragons

10. Atlantis Series by Gena Showalter

All the mythological creatures are here, yes I want to be there and get myself a sexy dragon shifter.

What are your favorite worlds/settings?

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