Monday, 11 March 2013

Monday Round Up!

One of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!

March has so far been much more calmer than February. Still lots of work but also more downtime for reading and Mother's Day shopping!

Last Week's Posts!
March TBR List
I Choose You by Bethany Lopez- 3½ hearts!
Voltion by Lee Strauss: A teaser
February: A Review

Read!
Good start to March!

Reading!
I've been inspired to start Catching Jordan by Jude and Kylee's Read-a-long! I finally found Delirium- it was under the passenger seat in my car- fail!

What's Next!
Planning to finish the Friends and Lovers trilogy asap!

Post ideas for this week!
Top Ten Tuesday- Spring TBR!
Mini Reviews- New review style!

How has your week been?
Much Love!
Lettie
xxx

Saturday, 9 March 2013

March TBR List

Books I want to read in March including blog tours.
I've got a few books left over from February but my temporary job ends in March so more time for reading!

 
  • Vain by Fisher Amelie.
  • I Choose You by Bethany Lopez.
  • Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt.
  • Fall Guy by Liz Reinhardt.
  • The Disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper.
  • Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza.
  • The Next Forever by Lisa Burstein.
  • Make It Last by Bethany Lopez.
  • Trust In Me by Bethany Lopez.
I've already crossed three off my list!

What do you want to read this March?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Friday, 8 March 2013

I Choose You by Bethany Lopez


Ever since I revealed the cover for Make It Last (#1 in this series!) Bethany Lopez has been high on my TBR list! So I jumped at the chance to be about of this tour!
Up until now, Nicole's life has been mapped out for her. She'd go to college, marry Jake and become the upstanding minister's wife. When she leaves that life to begin again in a small town in Texas, she finally has the freedom to live as she chooses. There, she meets Kent, a guy whose charm and passion make it hard to stick to her morals.
Dodging his father’s fists and protecting his twin sister made Kent into the man he is today. He learnt by watching his mother stay by his father’s side that it’s better to keep relationships simple. Then he meets Nicole. Her sweet smile and genuine response to him land like punches to his resolve. After a lifetime of learning to protect his heart, can he finally let down his guard?


I'm so glad I read Make It Last first because the series runs straight through so I Choose You told the story of Nicole and Kent as well as continuing the story of all the other characters!

What I Loved:
  • Nicole and Kent- I loved how their relationship developed throughout the book. I liked how they grew as people and how that impacted their relationship. Kent was such a good male lead, I liked how much pride he took with his career and his lifestyle, keeping his house clean and tidy and aiming high with his work. It was refreshing to see a character halfway through working up from a hard background. I respected Nicole and her beliefs especially how she had the courage to go against her family and still kept the core religious beliefs she had grown up with. Great couple!
  • Side cast- I love the secondary characters in this series! I loved how secondary relationships which had developed in Make It Last grew and progressed in I Choose You especially Kara and Pete! I enjoyed learning more about Roni's backstory and I liked how it set up Trust in Me. I once again loved Rich, his attitude and persistence were even more endearing and I cannot wait for more of him! I was so glad Brianna and Colin made a cameo, it was great to see how their relationship was developing!
  • Setting- I mentioned in my Top Ten Settings post that I wanted to see more small town settings and this series is proving I was right! I love how everyone knows and bumps into everyone! I mentioned Midwest/New England in my post by Texas had the added bonus of nice weather and cute accents!
What I Didn't Love as Much:
  • Kent- I wanted to see more of his background and issues. I have a feeling more will be revealed in Roni's story but I wanted more from Kent's point of view.
  • Short- It was such a quick read I could have read at least five more chapters!

I loved all the relationships and setting! Not quite as good as Make It Last but a great second book!

Have you read any of Bethany Lopez's books?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxxx

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

Voltion by Lee Strauss: A teaser!


Welcome to my stop on the Perception blog tour!
What doesn't kill you...
Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody.
They're in love.
Or at least that’s what he tells her. Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.
Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.
And their fight for survival has only begun.


 I've got a Volition teaser for you!

The awkward factor in the small room was at ten, the pressure threatening to pop the rivets in the walls. I lay still as a mannequin in my underwear feeling more naked than if I’d stripped down to nothing. I focused on the bathroom door and forced myself to move toward it, grabbing my clothes along the way. I slipped them on and only noticed that I was crying when my bare arm rubbed against my damp cheek. I washed my face vigorously, hoping to find some dignity under the skin. I shook the Tylenol bottle and swore. Empty. I thrust my shoulders back and left the bathroom. I waved the bottle in front of Noah and flashed him a calloused look. “My head is killing me.” My chronic headaches were a parting gift from my ex-boyfriend who apparently didn’t have any ethical objections to feeding me drugs that erased my memories, and tracked my position. I was off those now, but the headaches remained. Noah opened a canvas bag, obviously a recent purchase, and removed a new bottle tossing it to me. I popped two and washed them back with water. “I bought some food, if you’re hungry,” Noah said, placing items on the platter-sized table. I shrugged. I hadn’t been truly hungry in days, my stomach constantly coiled up like an anxious snake. “And these,” he said. He had a pair of scissors in one hand and a box of hair dye in the other. I pulled out the empty chair, and let my hair fall over the back. “Go for it,” I said. I closed my eyes and waited. Eventually, I heard Noah sigh and push his chair back. He ran his hands through my hair and I couldn’t stop the shudder that shot through my whole being.

Haven't read Perception?
Eternal Life is To Die For.
Seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along-side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.
Her brother Liam is missing.
Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.
Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.


It's currently FREE on Kobo, B&N, Smashwords and on Amazon!
It's an awesome mix of sci-fi, mystery and romance!

Let me know what you think of it!
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxxx

Monday, 4 March 2013

February: A Review

Monthly Feature- rounds up all the books I've read, progress on challenges and reviews my blogging!
It is kind of an expansion (?) of my favourite memes hosted by the lovely Shelia over at Book Journey!
 
February- the shortest month! I managed to pack in 128 hours of work despite having a 16 hour contract! A trip to London for a close friend's Greek themed Birthday party. A birthday meal for another friend. Lots of pancakes and my very first giveaway but not as much blogging as I had hoped!

February in numbers!
Total posts= 15
Books read= 5
Reviews Posted= 3
New followers= 150+

What I read in February!
Sadly work ate into my reading time :/ 
 
What I reviewed!
Speechless by Hannah Harrington.- First five star review of 2013!
Lennon's Jinx by Chris Myers. Blog Tour!
Divergent by Veronica Roth.

Once again not as many as I would like!

What I posted!
Stacking The Shelves: February- A month review of which books joined my shelves!
Book Blogger Love-A-Thon! Interview Swap!- Get to know Alyssa from Books Take You Places!
Happy Valentine's Day!- A bit of a different post focusing on TV couples!
For the Love of Swoon Giveaway Hop- First ever giveaway was a success!
February TBR!- New monthly feature which I try to keep updated!
Mini-Bloggiesta Wrap Up!- See how I did1

Challenge Progress
Genre Variety Challenge- 4/12.
New Adult Challenge-10/20.
YA Contemporary Challenge- 1/10.
First Reads- 7/11.
TBR Pile- 1/11-20.
Dystopia- 1/15.

Good progress- Just need to get started on the British Books Challenge!

Did I achieve my goals?
To have a blogging Revival
Partial success- I am still working my way out of my blogging slump!
More Diversity
Success! I hosted my first giveaway and did an unbook related post! I've got a few other ideas planned for March
Posts
So close but fell one short!
Reviews
At least I didn't fall lower than 3....
 
What I hope to achieve in March!
  • Reviews- I will post at least 4 reviews. Lower target but hopefully I will do more!
  • Posts- Once again 16! I also want to make sure I actually publish all my post ideas.
  • Comments- I keep failing behind with comment replies! I want to stay on top of this!

How was your February?
Any aims for March?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Thursday, 28 February 2013

Stacking The Shelves: February

What is Stacking The Shelves all about?
Stacking The Shelves is hosted by Tynga all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

I thought it would be easier to do monthly stacking the shelves posts- So here's what I added to my shelves in February!

Actual Shelf!
Between The Lines by Tammara Webber- I love Easy so when I saw this for half price on my lunch break I couldn't resist!

Virtual Shelf!
Make It Last by Bethany Lopez - I wanted to read the series in order and for 77p you can't complain!
None of The Regular Rules by Erin Downing - Free on Amazon, how could I resist?
Measuring Up by Nyrae Dawn- This one has been sat on my wish list for ages snapped it up for 77p!
My Paper Heart by Magan Vernon- This was just a random buy- I've since read good reviews so I'm looking forward to it!

Review Shelf!
NetGalley
Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt and Fall Guy by Liz Reinhardt- I love both of Liz's collaborations with Steph Campbell so I'm excited to read sample her solo works!
The Disgrace of Kitty Grey by Mary Hooper- Mary Hooper is an old favourite of mine so I have to read her latest book!
Mila 2.0 by Debra Driza- I'm really looking forward to reading this dystopia!

Review Books
I Choose You by Bethany Lopez- I have wanted to read this one since I reveal the cover!
Trust in Me by Bethany Lopez- I jumped at the chance to review another one of my cover reveals!
Perception by Lee Strauss- Just started this one- so far so good!
 
What books got added to your shelves in February?
Much Love!
Lettie
Xxx

Saturday, 23 February 2013

Book Blogger Love-A-Thon! Interview Swap!

 The short and sweet version of what a Love-A-Thon is about, here it goes: Basically it is just like a read-a-thon except for blogs! It’s a full 24 hours of commenting on new-to-you and some of your older favourite blogs, following bloggers, tweeting about awesome blog posts, and telling other bloggers just how much we love them! For a full list of the events and what time they are happening, you can check out the schedule right here.

I did my interview swap with Alyssa from Books Take You Places!
Be sure to check out her blog as she's doing Project Fairytale for February!
I commented on her answers underneath in pink!

Why did you start blogging? Any reason that you spilt your blog into personal and books?
I actually had a personal blog for a VERY short time and this was years ago when I didn't really have the time or desire to keep up with it. Years later I was in grad school and was looking through book blogs for reference and I found The Book Smugglers and just fell in love with what they were doing. It seemed like a great outlet for two things I loved: reading and writing. So I made an almost instant decision and started blogging. My first review was for Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion and I actually did a mini book trailer. Things have changed since then but I am glad I joined this awesome community!

I noticed you work in a library (very jealous!) how did you get in to that career?
For as long as I remember, I had wanted to be an English teacher. I even went as far as completing half of the EDU program in my undergrad studies. It didn't feel right and I dropped out of the program but still graduated with my Bachelor's in English (with a concentration in early literature - yay Shakespeare!) after that I was so confused and on the fence about my career. I worked part time in a library and took a whole year off and researched and thought about what I wanted and finally decided that librarianship is where my heart was. So I took my GRE on a whim, applied to Drexel - thinking I wouldn't get in as it was a dream school of mine and was SHOCKED when I got in with scholarships!! I finished the two year program in a year and 10 weeks and I couldn't be happier. I love everything about my career - just need to find that full time job now!
I love how you fell in to the career, librarianship doesn't seem to be the same in the UK as the USA! I think nowsdays a full time job is the holy grail!

I’m awful at thinking of a favourite book! Can you name your top 3 books from your childhood and from now?
From my childhood my favourites are definitely The Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum, The Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling! Now, as a "grown up" I have a hard time choosing so I am going to go with books I can (and have) read multiple times. My favorite series is definitely The Sevenwaters series by Juliet Marillier (or all books by her, really), The Black Swan by Mercedes Lackey and still, The Harry Potter series.
I always go with books I've reread- Harry Potter, Wizard of Oz and Narnia are big favourites of mine!

Do you have a genre that you consistently love?
I honestly can't think of a book dubbed a "fantasy" that I haven't enjoyed. I am reading A LOT of YA now but I think it's because of the constant recommendations from fellow bloggers.


What’s your favourite part of blogging? What’s the worst part?
My favourite part has to be the community of bloggers. There is consistently someone to listen, someone to cheer you up, someone to recommend your next read, etc. I have quite honestly found some of my best friends through blogging.
The worst part is watching those less than honest or enthusiastic bloggers. I can say that reading is 100% my favourite thing to do and I blog for me and for the joy of it, not for the free books or swag. It makes me kind of sick to see some who do it for the wrong reasons. Also, a while back blogging started to feel too much like "work" and I came near to quitting. You really have to find a good balance to enjoy it as much as you can.
It is a fine line between feeling like a hobby and feeling like work especially when you have a lot on in your life but I love the community too!

Since joining the blogging world, do you find yourself picking up books you wouldn’t have read before?
I think I am going to try and pick up some contemporaries this year which I have yet to read and enjoy. I read SOME YA before but I was reading more adult fantasy. Since I started blogging I have definitely upped the YA reads!
Yes to contemporaries! I love them :)

Totally stole this one from you!: “You find yourself in front of seven identical doors, these seven doors lead to seven places: Narnia, Neverland, Wonderland, Hogwarts, Camelot, Middle Earth and Westeros. Which door do you go through? Why that door? What happens?”
This one is hard for me. I know Neverland is out, unless I could be a pirate. Wonderland might be too much weird for me. Middle Earth would be gorgeous but unless I was an Elven princess, not for me. Narnia would be amazing since I could be friends with SANTA but overall, not magical enough for me. I have issues with Camelot and Westeros because one on hand I would LOVE to live here: the wardrobe and men with SWORDS! However, I like to think of myself as a BAMF and I couldn't deal with the "man rules the roost" lifestyle. Unless I could wield my own weapon and kick butt with the boys, these two are out. That leaves us with Hogwarts and let me say YES PLEASE! This one really has excellent benefits, even with my future husband Sirius Black being dead at this time.

Check out my interview here!
Much Love!
Lettie

Xxxx