Day: April 17, 2015

What Are You Reading? (239)

Posted April 17, 2015 by Holly in Features | 1 Comment

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Holly: I’m still not reading. It’s depressing. I want to read, I just haven’t had time to invest in a new story. I’ve been doing quick re-reads and skim-throughs instead. I’m going on vacation next week, though, and I will be reading a ton of books, dammit (she says with as much hope as determination)!

I re-read Archangel’s Consort by Nalini Singh, Fairytale Come Alive by Kristen Ashley, The Deal by Elle Kennedy and the Alpha and Omega novella by Patricia Briggs.

I have a list of books I plan to read next week. Wish me luck?

Rowena: Like Holly, I haven’t been reading very much lately. I can’t seem to get in any kind of groove and again, like Holly – I’m depressed about it. I want to read but I also want to binge watch Seasons 1 and 2 of Arrow and drool over Stephen Amell again and again and again. I’m also on Tumblr drooling over gif sets and blog posts that are too funny and cute.

Right now, I’m reading The Shameless Hour by Sarina Bowen and I’m loving what I’m reading so far. If only I could stop getting distracted by the internet long enough to finish the book though. I love Bella and I’m hella loving Rafe. After this, I’m going to read Fall with Me by J. Lynn.  Come on Reece and Roxy!

What are you reading? Anything exciting?


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Guest Review: Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman

Posted April 17, 2015 by Whitley B in Reviews | 1 Comment

Shadow Scale by Rachel HartmanWhitley’s review of Shadow Scale (Seraphina #2) by Rachel Hartman.

The kingdom of Goredd: a world where humans and dragons share life with an uneasy balance, and those few who are both human and dragon must hide the truth. Seraphina is one of these, part girl, part dragon, who is reluctantly drawn into the politics of her world. When war breaks out between the dragons and humans, she must travel the lands to find those like herself—for she has an inexplicable connection to all of them, and together they will be able to fight the dragons in powerful, magical ways.

As Seraphina gathers this motley crew, she is pursued by humans who want to stop her. But the most terrifying is another half dragon, who can creep into people’s minds and take them over. Until now, Seraphina has kept her mind safe from intruders, but that also means she’s held back her own gift. It is time to make a choice: Cling to the safety of her old life, or embrace a powerful new destiny?

I liked Seraphina. I didn’t quite think it was as original as touted, but I still enjoyed it thoroughly and I had warm expectations for Shadow Scale.

Oh…oh how mistaken I was.

Honestly, it’s kind of impressive how Seraphina is a first person narrator and yet still manages to be entirely useless in her own story. She does nothing of actual lasting importance. Everything she does do, it turns out it would have been done by someone else if she hadn’t managed it, and said other person did 12/16ths of that task anyway so Seraphina’s efforts weren’t exactly monumental. She could literally be replaced by a Sexy Lamp (erm, minus the sexy part) because she’s that useless. The one thing she can actually lay claim to is in the final climax, and it’s…to be really shiny so that someone else can come in and do the actual villain defeating. So, still pretty ‘lamp’ish.

And it is just unbelievably frustrating to read a book where the main character just sort of ambles through things.

Add to that the plot was painfully protracted and meandering, one of the central concepts (the nature of the Saints) was distressingly obvious from the start and yet Seraphina still remained ‘derp-de-derp’ about it until the end, and the utter lack of any (ANY) chemistry with Kiggs once he shows up again… Sigh.

There was one thing worth loving in this book: Janoulla. Saints alive, but I do love me a fun villain. She was amazing, as far as ‘love to hate them’ types go. She was broken and heartless and ripe for woobiefication, but still painted thoroughly as a villain and lived up to the title. Cruel, but with a smile and a plan and god I loved to hate her so much.

As to the rest, the writing is still smooth and serviceable and the world is still well formed and interesting, the side characters still colorful. But I’m sorry, nothing could have saved it from its own main character. I wanted to slap her twelve times a page and then forcibly hand over the narration to Janoulla so we could see shit getting’ done instead of yet another ‘sit around and stare at the ceiling’ party.

Rating: 2 out of 5

This title is available from Random House Books for Young Readers.  You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.


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Cover Reveal: One More Shot by Victoria Denault

Posted April 17, 2015 by Rowena in Promotions | 0 Comments

Here at Book Binge, we don’t normally do very many blog tours or cover reveals but this week, you’re getting two.  This book (and series) sound like something we’d enjoy and we’re really looking forward to jumping right in.

And now….here’s the cover:

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Ha! I was going to resize the picture but then I took a good look at it…and changed my mind. How hot is that cover though???

I love it! Here’s the blurb:

ONE MORE SHOT by Victoria Denault (June 2, 2015; Forever Yours E-Book; $3.99; Hometown Players Book #1)

They say you only get one shot at making your dreams come true. Jordan is determined to take two.

Drafted by the NHL at eighteen, Jordan Garrison was headed for fame, and there was only one person he wanted to share it with-Jessie Caplan. He was crazy in love with her, and had finally told her so. They shared an amazing night . . . and then everything fell apart.

Jessie tries not to think about the night she gave herself to Jordan-or how he broke her heart. She tries not to think about it, but she does. Especially now, when she’s staring into his sky-blue eyes for the first time in six years. After so much time and torment, she can’t tell if she loves him or hates him. But Jordan has learned enough to know a connection like theirs is rare. He was lucky to find Jessie once. No way will he lose her again.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon
B&N
iBooks
BAM
GooglePlay
Kobo

About the author:

Victoria Denault loves long walks on the beach, cinnamon dolce lattes and writing angst-filled romance. She lives in LA but grew up in Montreal, which is why she is fluent in English, French and hockey.

Social Media Links:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
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