WWW Wednesday (84)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Silk Armor by Claire Sydenham. A novel about English teachers working in Turkey focusing on a relationship between a male teacher and a female Turkish woman told from a third party perspective. Interesting so far.

02. Recently Finished:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Opening novel in the Mortal Instruments series that introduces readers to the world of Shadowhunters.

03. Reading Next:
Allegiant by Veronica Roth. The final book in the Divergent series. Cannot wait to see how this amazing story concludes.

Teaser Tuesday (97)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Silk Armor (Kindle Loc. 293-94)
     - Claire Sydenham

I remembered the afternoon he'd asked me to hold onto the tickets; he'd said he might rip them up. Is this why he'd asked, hoping for just this sort of outcome?

City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

*May Contain Spoilers*

Cassandra Clare creates the Shadowhunter legacy with the opening novel of the Mortal Instruments series, City of Bones. A novel full of surprises, characters to love as well as hate, and a promise of much more to come. After reading the Infernal Devices series, I knew this would immediately be on my reading list. Though the prequel series was written after City of Bones, and the writing style has definitely evolved, the excitement I had to read this book was definitely warranted. 

Clarissa Fray is an un-average teenage girl. Even if she doesn't know it. When she first develops the Sight, she's intrigued and confused that she is able to see things that mundanes aren't supposed to be able to see. When she learns that she is a Shadowhunter descendant, what she can now see becomes a little clearer. Clarissa is a wonderful beginning character. She's naive, but courageous. Open, but situationally reserved. For a character that is guaranteed to evolve into something much greater, Clarissa is easily relatable and trustworthy. Readers will enjoy seeing the real world through her eyes. The world that has hidden secrets living in plain sight. 

The plot of City of Bones introduces Clarissa and the Shadowhunting world side-by-side. As Clarissa discovers innate characteristics and her blocked memories resurface, the world around her simultaneously changes in a co-existing evolution. Clare does a fantastic job aligning Clarissa's growth with the unveiling of the world's truth. With the kidnapping of Clarissa's mother, she now a has a purpose to aid the Shadowhunters in retrieving the Mortal Cup: a cup that creates Shadowhunters from mundanes. A cup that her mother stole and hid from an enemy. A cup that could be traded for her mother's life. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (83)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. So excited to start this series. Especially after falling in love with The Infernal Devices series. Definitely promising enjoyment.

02. Recently Finished:
Beyond the Gardens by Sandra C. Lopez. The story of a girl's journey through college and escaping her haunted past.

03. Reading Next:
Silk Armor by Claire Sydenham. A novel that describes the conflict surrounding the love story of a Turkish woman and an American man.

Teaser Tuesday (96)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)
   - Cassandra Clare

"I, for one," Simon went on, "am enjoying myself immensely."
This seemed unlikely.

Beyond the Gardens

She was a shy artist, who was afraid to blossom into the beautiful flower she was meant to grow into.

At the age of 18, Esperanza Ignacio begins her college years at an upscale Los Angeles art school, where she studies to fulfill her long-term dream in Animation. But she soon learns the truth to the old folktale: "you can take the girl out of the barrio, but you can't take the barrio out of the girl." Even though she's getting financial aid, Esperanza works a part-time job during her break from classes just to make ends meet. Her roommate, Anna, is what she calls a "chicana from Beverly Hills" because of the rich daddy and the new car she got for her quinceaera.

Things get a little confusing for Esperanza when an old friend comes looking for her, hoping to start a meaningful relationship. But is Carlos the right guy for her? She never even considered him to be anything more than a friend since high school. Then comes Jake, a gorgeous mechanic, who shares her passion for books and loves her for who she is. What's a girl to do?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Sandra C. Lopez tells the astounding story of one girl who rises above the strife of growing up in a poor Los Angeles community with her novel, Beyond the Gardens. Esperanza has always focused on building a better future for herself and when she is accepted into an animation program at college, she knows she's on the right track, but her fear threatens to throw her back. Can she accept her past enough to escape it? And will she have the strength to move on when given the option? 

Esperanza is a Latina Californian who has a past that plays a very present role in her life. She grew up in a poor family with a mother who struggled everyday to provide for her family. Esperanza's father was abusive and though he's in prison, she still has to face those scars everyday. Readers will easily connect with Esperanza on an intimate level. She's a person who wants more but is afraid of the hand-slap that will surely come if she reaches for it. Though she doesn't let it hold her back. Esperanza takes each fear and molds it into inspiration. She's a character full of so much hope that readers will instantly connect with her, cheering for her to take each step toward a happier life. 

The plot of the novel follows Esperanza through all four years of college. Readers witness her struggle, face her fears, forgive the past, and form her own path for the future. Beyond the Gardens is an inspiring coming-of-age novel. The dialogue can be a little awkward at times, even a little 'cheesy,' but it takes nothing away from the message of this novel: with a little hope and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Tangled (Tangled #1)

Drew Evans is a winner. Handsome and arrogant, he makes multimillion dollar business deals and seduces New York’s most beautiful women with just a smile. He has loyal friends and an indulgent family. So why has he been shuttered in his apartment for seven days, miserable and depressed?

He’ll tell you he has the flu.

But we all know that’s not really true.

Katherine Brooks is brilliant, beautiful and ambitious. She refuses to let anything - or anyone - derail her path to success. When Kate is hired as the new associate at Drew’s father’s investment banking firm, every aspect of the dashing playboy’s life is thrown into a tailspin. The professional competition she brings is unnerving, his attraction to her is distracting, his failure to entice her into his bed is exasperating.

Then, just when Drew is on the cusp of having everything he wants, his overblown confidence threatens to ruin it all. Will he be able untangle his feelings of lust and tenderness, frustration and fulfillment? Will he rise to the most important challenge of his life?

Can Drew Evans win at love?

Tangled is not your mother’s romance novel. It is an outrageous, passionate, witty narrative about a man who knows a lot about women…just not as much as he thinks he knows. As he tells his story, Drew learns the one thing he never wanted in life, is the only thing he can’t live without.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Emma Chase gives readers an in-depth look at the workings of a womanizer's mind in her novel, Tangled. Written entirely from Drew's point of view, when this one-night hero meets a woman that he can't have readers will revel in the hilarity and empathize with both Drew and Kate as their lives take a chaotic turn due to love. 

Drew Evans is an admitted chauvinist that has only ever been interested in a one-night stand. He is crude, blunt, cocky, and ruthless. Though, he is an excellent investment banker, excelling in every way. Drew presents himself honestly, which allows readers to instantly believe him and what he has to say. And though the characteristics don't present him in the best light, readers will form a bond with him. He's the classic womanizer who wants to be better, and Kate is the only woman who can help him do that. What female readers doesn't (perhaps secretly) love the bad-boy? What girl hasn't, at some point, thought they were the one to make him a good man? Therein lies the connection with Drew. 

The beginning of the novel presents Drew as a heartbroken, lovesick, lost-all-hope kind of man. Then the story moves backward through time to show readers what exactly caused this before moving forward from the present.  Chase gives readers the whole story, sparing no detail with a mix of humor, erotic situations, blunt dialogue, and a happy ending for most of the character cast. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Codename: Chimera

A famous millionaire dies under mysterious circumstances in the Brooklyn ghetto. What it was that made him go to such a dangerous place at night remains a mystery. The only clue is a book, Mythical Creatures of Ancient Greece, left on his body and opened at a page on Chimera. Private detective Kevin Kris takes on the case, helped by Penny, his trusty assistant, and Michael, his best friend. They soon uncover a chain of bloody events shrouded in mystery from the past. Little by little the private detective and his friends discover the real truth hidden by the Man With No Face.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Codename: Chimera by J.K. Persy is a simply written private-eye mystery that readers will thoroughly enjoy. A modern-day millionare's death coupled with an intriguing Ancient Greek monster will fascinate and compel the audience.

Though the novel revolves around the unexplained death of a well-known antique lover, the private detective, Kevin Kris, takes the role of main character. Kris is an intriguing character with a past full of adventure. He's focused, smart, and observant which makes him quite likeable. The bond between readers and Kris will form based on respect and report. The other characters introduced in this novel all equally share their view and feelings for Kris through detailed commentary. This gives the reader a friendly perspective allowing them to immediately trust Kris and his detective skills. 

The plot follows the millionare's death and the mysterious story of an antique medallion. History shows that owners of the medallion often met untimely deaths or experienced a deterioration of their mental health. Kris is hired by the millionare's son to prove that his step-mother is responsible for the death, though the clues disprove this theory forcing Kris to explore other options. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (82)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Beyond the Gardens by Sandra Lopez. A novel about a girl who leaves what she's known behind to attend college to study art and animation.

02. Recently Finished:
Tangled by Emma Chase. When a womanizer finally meets his match he'll do anything to get her. Even if she's engaged.

03. Reading Next:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. Been waiting to start the Mortal Instruments series and I think it's definitely time!!

Teaser Tuesday (95)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!



Beyond the Gardens (p. 37)
    - Sandra Lopez

Pro: I would actually have plans tonight.
Pro: I Wouldn't be just another nerd with no life.

Insurgent (Divergent #2)

I have done bad things. I can’t take them back, and they are part of who I am.

Tris has survived a brutal attack on her former home and family. But she has paid a terrible price. Wracked by grief and guilt, she becomes ever more reckless as she struggles to accept her new future.

Yet if Tris wants to uncover the truth about her world, she must be stronger than ever… because more shocking choices and sacrifices lie ahead.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Veronica Roth continues the epic Divergent trilogy with her novel, Insurgent. Immediately following the conclusion of book one, Tris and Tobias are looking for the truth with a side of revenge. With her parents both dead, Beatrice has only her brother and Tobias, but can they be trusted? Can anyone? 

Beatrice is the main character of this series and readers continue following her as she attempts to reveal the truth behind the attack on her home faction. With Jeanine Matthews trying to capture all Divergents (those who cannot fall under simulation), she and Tobias must try to survive. And Tris has really bad survival instincts. After she shot Will in the first book, she struggles to hold a gun. She's wracked with guilt. Especially the guilt that her parents died for her and their cause. Now she is losing grip on her will to live. Readers will connect with Beatrice based on these emotions as well as the continuing love story with Tobias. 

However, what Tris really needs (besides the will to survive and finish this) is the ability to trust. It's true that many people in this series have their own agenda. But lying to Tobias? Siding with a common enemy? I'm all for following your gut feeling and using logic to become one step ahead of the enemy, but at least tell the truth. How are fellow characters and readers supposed to trust Beatrice if she doesn't show trust in anyone else? Telling her allies what the plan is doesn't mean she has to let them stop her. Beatrice really struggles with accepting what she's done and what needs to be done. Not doing it, but actually owning up to it. I'm worried that this characteristic will be her fatal flaw. 

The plot of Insurgent follows Beatrice through her journey to find the truth behind the execution of an entire faction and the revolt leader, Jeanine Matthews. While Jeanine is trying to find the Divergent population to "save society," Beatrice discovers that there's a rather big secret being kept from the entire population. She decides to trust an enemy to look further into the matter while the factionless and non-traitor Dauntless join forces, planning to attack Erudite, the faction that protects Jeanine. And trust me, this secret will change how you view this series. But I won't tell you what it is... yet.

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Rapunzel (Demon Tales)

Chloe, princess of the iron fey and heir to the throne, is trapped. Kidnapped from her life at the young age of fifteen and imprisoned by the Vulcans, she has suffered at their hands for more than a decade.

Broken weak and hopeless, she has long stopped dreaming of a better life.

When a large demon is captured by the Vulcans and thrown into her tower, Chloe has no idea that fate has a plan.

Bent on fulfilling a promise he made to his dying mother, Blane finds himself behind bars. Locked in the legendary Vulcan tower, with a woman he fears is his mate, Blane realizes that even the best laid plans can fail.

Blane never wanted a mate. Never wanted anyone to rely on him. But can he walk away from the one woman who is meant to be the other half of his soul?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Kerianne Coombes adds a thick supernatural air to a well known fairy tale with her novel, Rapunzel. Though the main character isn't named Rapunzel, Coombes weaves together the story of the long haired healer with fey folk and demons. 

Blane and Chloe are the two main characters and each share their own point of view as the novel unfolds. Blane is loyal, brave, enticing, yet crude. His outbursts are certainly unexpected but understandable as he is, in fact, a demon. The promise he made to his mother rules his life. After previous repercussions, Blane is determined to never make, or break, another promise. Chloe is the opposite of Blane. She's reserved with a quiet strength. Her past is filled with memories of torture and the exploitation of her powers. Readers will connect with Blane through his loyalty and the need to give meaning to a horrible tragedy. They will connect with Chloe both sympathetically and through her desire to be free. 

The plot follows Blane as he searches for necessary items to keep his promise. While searching, he is captured and thrown in a tower holding cell with Chloe. From there they attempt escape and try to escape the feelings that grow between them. Though verbally intense, Rapunzel is a heroic fairy tale in which readers see the story from the eyes of both the hero and the damsel in distress. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

WWW Wednesday (81)

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?

          

01. Currently Reading:
Insurgent by Veronica Roth. The sequel to Divergent and the second book in the trilogy. It's such a gripping novel but the main character is evolving into a girl I don't know if I can relate to. We'll see how this one wraps up.

02. Recently Finished:
Rapunzel (Demon Tales) by Kerianne Coombes. A demon on a journey to keep a promise made to his dying mother comes across a Fey Princess locked in a tower. Love and adventure ensue. :)

03. Reading Next:
Codename: Chimera by J.K Persy. A murder mystery with a link to Ancient Greece. Sounds quite exciting.