Confessions: Film before Book!

Confession~ Watching the film before the book!

It's an unspoken rule that good readers always read the book before watching the film and then comment on how it doesn't live up to the book! However I broke this rule on Sunday and then realised it wasn't the first time!

I am Number Four
Why?
I'm not too keen on alien storylines usually so I thought I'd watch the film to see if I'd like the book! Especially as the book wasn't available at the library
Result
I have been speeding through the series ever since~ On book 3!

The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings
Why?
My best friend has loved Lord of the Rings since Primary school but I could never get into it. I watched the films but I was still underwhelmed :/
I tried to read the Hobbit before the film but I couldn't get into but I did love the film!

Percy Jackson and The Lightening Thief
Why?
Another series that I was vaguely interested in and decided to watch the film to get a 'feel' for the plot etc.
Result
I did like the film and got all the books which I haven't been able to enjoy yet!

Eragon
Why?
This one was an accident I was channel flipping and found it on TV! So I watched it and immediately got the book.
Result
I read Eragon but not the rest of the series.... However my Great Uncle who watched the film has finished and loved the whole series!

Gossip Girl
Why?
Technically a tv show but I love teen dramas so I gave Gossip Girl a chance despite the fact I disliked the books.
Result.
I am the proud owner of numerous box sets and a big fan of Chuck and Blair! However the books just weren't my thing.

Vampire Diaries
Why?
 I liked L.J Smith's books when I was younger but I wasn't the biggest fan of the Vampire Diaries series. I gave the TV show a try while it was On Demand.
Result.
I absolutely love the different concepts and plots of the TV series much more than the books!

Exceptions 
The Hunger Games
Why?
I was so determined to read the books before the film that I actually missed the film in the cinema and had to wait for the DVD release!
Result.
I really enjoyed the book and the film, I'm glad I read the book first though!

What's your take?
Do you read or watch first? Does it bother you?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx

Embrace Blog Tour: Guest Post!

EMBRACE…endless possibilities.  A new adult imprint from Entangled, launching November 11^th!  It is launching with four exciting titles—Ruined, Hushed, Trouble Comes Knocking, and Definitely, Maybe In Love.You can follow them and get more information about future titles @EPEmbrace or their facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmbraceImprint

Today I have Jus Accardio explaining what she finds to be the hardest part of writing Paranormal books!

It's no secret that I love paranormal books. Love reading them, love writing them. Hell, I kind of wanna live in one (preferably one with a hottie like Jax to keep me warm ;) ). But sometimes it's a little frustrating.
We've heard the saying. It's all been done before. (Bah. And now I have that song stuck on my head…) If I had to pick a hardest part of writing paranormal—of writing anything, really—it would be making each story different enough to stand out. Putting a unique spin on an old idea so that it's not stale and overdone. Look at it this way. Mashed potatoes are awesome, but you wouldn't want them every night of the week for a year, right?
So the old ideas need to be switched up. Tweaked and twisted so that they're new again. It could be as simple as giving your main character, for argument's sake we'll say a vampire detective, an odd quirk. Maybe he can't stand the sight of blood. That's certainly going to put a wrench in things since, yanno, he's a vampire. Or maybe your main character, a ghost, is afraid of the dark. Regardless of the tropes your story might have, there's always a way to change it up.

Each character has their own identity, therefore, provides endless ways to change the story. With their own set of quirks, the possibilities for creating something different are infinite. You're limited by only your own imagination. While the basic idea behind most books might not be new, there is always a way to make it fresh. What's the most unique spin you've seen put on an old idea?

About Jus 
JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the bestselling author the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing and is currently working on the first book in a new adult series due out summer 2013. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald. 
About Ruined

 Hell is looking for a way to break loose…  
Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.

After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.

Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Faster We Burn by Chelsea M. Cameron.

Katie Hallman is done with douchebags. Done with guys who treat her like crap and leave her broken. But then Stryker Grant is there anyway. With his numerous piercings and bleached hair, he’s the polar opposite of all of her past relationships, which makes him the perfect candidate.
At first, Katie just sees him as a physical escape from her previous rocky relationship, and Stryker doesn’t seem to mind just being a distraction from Katie’s problems. But soon he’s getting under her skin, peeling back layers she’d rather keep covered. She tries to make it clear that she doesn’t want a relationship, but keeps breaking her own rules.
Then a tragedy sends Katie into the only arms who are there to catch her, and she’ll realize that she needs him more than she ever thought possible. But is she ready to let herself trust another guy with her already-battered heart? Or will she push him away to protect herself from getting hurt again?
Why?
I loved Katie in Deeper We Fall and I was intrigued by her relationship with Stryker and her background.

What I loved:
Katie- I loved loved her! As I suspected she was a much more complex character than she seemed. I enjoyed seeing all the different parts of her personality reveal themselves to the other characters. I  liked how straight forward and direct she could be and how hard she worked for what she wanted. Her character growth throughout the book was well written and very interesting to read, she came across as a very strong character. I especially liked how she dealt with most things to do with Stryker in perspective, no petty misunderstanding etc. very refreshing! 
Stryker- Stryker also came into to his own and emerged as a flawed good guy. I loved how he treated Katie, playing by her rules but still keeping her guessing. He was so supportive of her and I liked how encouraging he was with regards to her future and her self confidence. The sibling dynamic between Trish and Stryker was very well written and reflective of their background- I'm hoping for a future book from Trish's point of view to explore this more. I liked how he approached Katie's family and met their disapproval and questions head on, sticking with Katie when needed. All in all a great character! 
Side cast- Again love them! It was great to see group from different point of view although I missed Will! I think the group dynamic had evolved and their friendships had deepened which made  Aud, for example, more intriguing. I loved the introduction of Strker's band friends, they were a refreshingly fun and welcoming group. I enjoyed the musical banter and impromptu sing-alongs! Allan was my favourite, he seemed like a gentle soul. Katie's family were mostly lovely. Her mother was highly critical and all around a bit controlling. Her dad, however, was the opposite more accepting, he seemed to say all the right things to Katie regarding her self image etc. Kayla was a fun addition, I really enjoyed her background storyline with Adam!
Ending- Great ending! Clear character and relationship development for both Katie and Stryker and Lottie and Zan which was good to read. It gave closure while remaining  open for more books in the series.
Timing- The rapid time progression was brilliant as it meant the relationship developed at a relatively normal pace as opposed to rapidly escalating from just met to full blown relationship!
Rating!

I absolutely loved Katie and Stryker's story! I reread it all the time

Thank you to Chelsea for providing me with a review copy.
I definitely think the next Fall and Rise book will be Trish and Mickey- already looking forward to it!
Expect reviews of Chelsea's latest books this coming Friday and Monday.

Much Love!
Lettie
Xx

Blog Tour: Keep Me Still by Caisey Quinn.

 

Scarred by loss, Layla leaves her hometown of Hope Springs, Georgia, hoping to put her painful past behind her and start over in college in California. When she runs into Landen at freshmen orientation, she has a choice to make. Reinforce those steel walls she's built up around herself or give the only boy who can keep her still a second chance.
Landen’s more than ready to tear down those walls, but this time when they come crashing down, they might bury her.

 Let You Leave:
Layla Flaherty had the perfect life, or close to it. Until a stranger gunned her parents down right in front of her, leaving her with seizure inducing PTSD. After years of trying to pass as normal and failing miserably, she resigns herself to being invisible. But new to town Landen O’Brien sees her, and he likes what he sees. Much to Layla’s surprise, he doesn’t freak out when she has a seizure in front of him. He does the exact opposite, calming her until the tremors subside. But Landen has secrets of his own. Secrets that will either bind them together or tear them apart

 

About the Caisey Quinn.

Caisey Quinn lives in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband, daughter, and other assorted animals. She is the bestselling author of the Kylie Ryans series as well as several New Adult Romance novels featuring country girls finding love in unexpected places. You can find her online at www.caiseyquinnwrites.com . 

 

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxxx

 

Drift by Steph Campbell and Liz Reinhardt.

There’s no way Lydia--oldest and most responsible of the tight-knit Rodriguez clan--is going to let her nosy family find out about the uncharacteristic work screw-up that landed her a paid suspension. To keep busy and avoid panic, she enrols in a life enrichment class. The first guest speaker is a handsome artist with a wicked smile and eyes that melt right through her.
Even the “ice princess” can’t help but feel an immediate spark that lights her blood on fire. 
Isaac Ortiz is unquestionably the sexiest man Lydia has ever met. The talented son of a famous Spanish artist, he’s constantly moving from one new glamorous city to another, working if and when the muse visits him.
He also has a stare that makes Lydia’s heart race and hands that look more than capable of making her scream with pleasure. She shouldn’t be attracted to this free-spirit who makes all his own rules--but she is.
There’s just one hiccup....Isaac is nineteen.
Lydia has lived her entire life firmly inside the box, and being with a younger man is definitely outside the safe confines she enjoys.
So why can’t she stay away from him? And why is she seriously considering his proposition to take off to a place she’s never been...just because?
When Lydia is invited back to work with a cleared name, she should be overjoyed.
But the reality is, Lydia doesn’t know what anchors her life anymore...or if she wants to be anchored at all. Should she travel the world with Isaac? Or continue down the road that she’s worked long and hard to pave for herself? Choosing one means losing the other, and Lydia isn’t sure if she’s ready to drift with the current that’s pulling her by the heart.

Why?
The last in the Sliver Strand series- so sad to see this series end.
 
What I loved:
Lydia- Lydia had seemed uptight and a little bit mean throughout the Sliver Strand series apart from Ties but in Drift she came into her own! As the main character her true feelings were more apparent and all her harshness of the previous books seemed to be misinterpretations. I found her to be determined, clever and witty! I liked seeing her relax and interact with her siblings in a much more emotional level than in previous books. The way she took the opportunity to take stock of her life and kept moving forward was very positive, I would have been on my sofa eating ice cream! A surprising endearing and witty lead.
Isaac- Very interesting character! I liked his varied background with the artistic influences, lots of travelling and a domineering father, it all combined to make him a well developed character. I loved his approach to his first lecture and generally his life, laid back but hard working. The showdown I anticipated with his Dad was anti-climatic yet realistic, I think he saw his father for who he really was opposed to the way his father presented himself and realised he could be the bigger man! I adored how he was with Lydia, persistent and witty to begin with and how respectful of her outlook and wishes he was regardless of his own ambitions. Another great male lead!
Sliver Strand- It's no secret that I adore Sliver Strand's community and how intertwined all their lives and backgrounds are! I've already mentioned how good it was to see Lydia getting on better with her siblings, I loved how protective Cohen was towards her. It was great to have a chance to find out more about Cece and her work and to see her bond with Lydia. She seemed like the perfect mix of Genevieve's dramatic flare and Lydia's determination, Iliked how expressive she was.  I loved Deo and Cohen's bromance as always and Deo's devotion to Judaism despite not being Jewish was both heart warming and hilarious. Cody was a welcome surprise, I liked him in Limits and it was good to see an outsider perspective on Gen and Adam and the Beckett-Rodriguez clan! I also liked the chance to get to know Mami and Papi Rodriguez more and to hear their story.
Epilogue- As much as it pained me to say goodbye to Sliver Strand the epilogue tied up all the loose ends perfectly. Each couple had grown and developed, all the side characters were mentioned or featured and a lovely toast was made! It was lovely for the Beckett-Rodriguez clan to be together getting along and happy! Looking forward to Enzo's spin off now :) 
Rating

Drift was full of all my favourite Sliver Strand elements- great lead characters, amazingly well developed side cast and a simple yet well written and expanded on plot. Drift wasn't my favourite of the series but it was the perfect end!

Which Sliver Strand book is our favourite?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxc

Monster Readathon TBR!

I'm hopefully halfway through this TBR by now!

A nice mix of genres and review books. I am really enjoying the challenge of fitting extra reading into my busy week!

How are you doing?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Deeper We Fall by Chelsea M. Cameron

Two years after her best friend was involved in a car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, Lottie Anders is ready to start her freshman year of college. Ready to move on. Ready to start forgetting the night that ripped her life apart.
Her plans come to a screeching halt when not one, but both brothers responsible for the accident end up back in her life again.
Zack is cruel, selfish and constantly rubbing what happened to her friend in Lottie's face.
Zan is different. He listens to her awkward ramblings. He loves "To Kill a Mockingbird" as much as she does, and his dark eyes are irresistible. His words are few and far between, but when he does speak, she can't help but listen.
The trouble is, Zan was the driver in the accident, and now Lottie's discovered he lied to her about what happened that night. Now she must decide if trusting him again will lead to real forgiveness, or deeper heartache.
Why?
I loved the sound of the blurb and I think I caught it on offer!
First Impressions!
I liked that the book started back in High School on the night of the accident and then flashes forward to College moving in day. It really set up the characters' personalities and background.
What I loved:
Complex- The plot was very layered and complex. I loved how Zan and Lottie were connected both in the past and in the present. I liked that all the facts were slowly revealed with lots of twists and suprises. 
Lottie- I loved how firecly loyal she was to Lexie despite how different everything was, I think it showed how much of good person she was. The college situation can't have been easy especially with Zan and Zack so nearby but I liked how she just threw herself into it. Her relationship with Zan was again very complex and slow burning which I enjoyed.
Zan- I really felt for Zan as he had a lot hanging over him from being part of such an awful event. Especially after realising how long he'd liked Lottie from a far only to have the accident taint any relationship between them. I liked hid constant internal conflicts over Lottie and how he reacted to their budding relationship. Zan was such a good brother to Zack, who was obviously a completely ungrateful loser. I also loved how he made friends with Stryker and their friendship.
Side cast- So much love for the side cast! I adored Will and his 'Twindar' with Lottie. He was such an insightful and supportive brother and I loved his cute awkward approach with Audrey. Simon was a great addition to the group, he just slotted straight in with Will and Lottie and was such a witty positive character. I liked how Stryker sort of adopted Zan and listened to his story with no judgement, I was glad to hear he'd be in the next book! Katie was another character who grew throughout the book from what seemed like a cliché girly girl to a much more layered character, I loved her positivity and energy. Trish and Aud were two great additions each with their own intriguing background that I look forward to reading more about!
What I didn't love as much:
Zan's Family- I would of enjoyed seeing more of Zan's family and their personalities and perspectives of the whole situation as they felt a bit distant!
Lexie- One of the most tragic characters I think I've ever read! All of her potential and zest for life was snuffed out just because she liked the wrong guy.
Zack-  Zack seemed to have no redeeming qualities! He wasn't even nice or loyal to his family let alone anyone else!

Rating!

 

I really enjoyed this book with it's complex plot and great characters.

 

Have you read any of the Fall and Rise series?

Much Love!

Lettie

Xxx