January Wrap Up

Hey guys! I hope you have all had a great January and start to the year. My start has been absolutely terrible reading wise. I really lost my motivation to read and take pictures for my instagram – and even blog, which I am sure you gathered from the sparse posting throughout the month! I am currently 5 book behind schedule on my goodreads goal… I really felt that January just kind of dragged on, and I am so glad that it is finally coming to a close. However, having said that, I finally feel my mojo coming back, so I am hoping to really start getting back into everything and be back more regularly and finally be in the mood for doing what I enjoy the most! Sorry that this post is so short – hopefully next month will be better!

Read: 

• Dirty Uncle by Alexa Riley and Jesse Kane – Adult, Reviewed on Goodreads, 4/5 stars
• Lullaby by L R W Lee – Arc received from the author, DNF, 1 star. Full review still to come!

Started:

• Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk – ARC received through Netgalley. I’m currently about 72 percent of the way through this and I am LOVING it! I highly recommend it.
• Rock Hard Bodyguard by Alexis Abbott – Adult book, will only review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Bought: 

• Red Queen: Collectors Edition by Victoria Aveyard (Link leads to normal version on Goodreads)
• Golden Son by Pierce Brown
• Morning Star by Pierce Brown
• Introductions: Collectors Edition by C. L. Stone
• First Days: Collectors Edition by C. L. Stone
• Iron Gold by Pierce Brown
• The Extinction Trials by S. M. Wilson

ARCS Acquired:

• Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk – Netgalley.
• The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton – Netgalley

Goodreads Monday: 

• 8th Jan – Everless by Sara Holland
• 22nd Jan – The Sacrifice Box by Martin Stewart
• 29th Jan – Iron Gold by Pierce Brown

Book of the Month:

Blood and Sand by C. V. Wyk

 

Published January 16th by Tor Teen

FORGED IN BATTLE…
FROM THE DUST OF THE ARENA…
A LEGEND WILL RISE

The action-packed tale of a 17-year-old warrior princess and a handsome gladiator who dared take on the Roman Republic―and gave rise to the legend of Spartacus…

For teens who love strong female protagonists in their fantasy and historical fiction, Blood and Sand is a stirring, yet poignant tale of two slaves who dared take on an empire by talented debut author C. V. Wyk.

Roma Victrix. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to create an empire―an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master’s favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end―and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus…

I know I mentioned above that I am not yet finished with this book, however, it is so good, I KNOW that I want to feature it as this months book of the month! It is a Spartacus retelling and has had me hooked throughout. I am hoping to have this done within the next couple of days.

That is it for me. As you can see, my month was pretty terrible, so here is to having a better February! I have a bundle of ARCs to get through and a whole bunch of new releases that I really want to pick up as well 😀

Feel free to add your links to your Wrap up posts so I can see how your month has been.

 

Release Day!!

Hey guys!! So, this is the first post of this kind to hit my blog! However, I have been raving about this book for ages and, at the time of writing this post, I am about halfway through this book and I am loving it! I consider the author to be a new found friend (he may read this and think … what?? but hey ho…) and I am so excited for other people to read this book!

Vault of Dreams by Luke Taylor

Published; July 31st 2016 – Self Published

Albanland. Emerald hills and ice blue lochs, bordered by Nørds raiders and the haughty monarchs of South Angle, each dynasty eager to seize lands weakened by a civil war in which a usurper has risen to seize the cloven throne.
Morgance, Faer Princess of the Night.
And by her side, the fearsome Ultan Skölhammer, sworn Guardian of the Crown.
But Rhoswen, rightful heir to the throne, princess in exile, leads a final uprising from the depths of the forest, an uprising that twists together the lives of the most unlikely companions.
A notorious thief accused of a crime she did not commit.
A baird apprentice searching for the meaning of life.
A pair of brothers who can’t seem to stay out of trouble.
And a gypsy bound to the ancient artifact known only as the Vault of Dreams.

The Author:

My name is Luke and I write books and music.

Inspired by the action and adventure of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones films, I wrote my first books when I was 7 and passed them around to my fellow classmates. Fully illustrated and poorly stapled, they were well loved, and sequels were often in high demand. My mother read epic fantasy trilogies to me when I was young, and it stuck. Whenever I write, I just write what I see, as if watching a movie. My mind is a high-definition DVD player and I promise to never run out of material.

In high school I studied film, wrote hundreds of songs, and wrote five novels that nobody will ever read.

So then I took a break and decided I would never write again.

But then, one day, I did. The book, Evening Wolves, won two awards and changed my life.

My style is cinematic and character-driven. I write YA Fantasy and Sci-Fi standalones, Mysteries, and Epic Fantasies. Yes I will accept your friend request. Don’t be afraid to ask me a question. 

I read a lot, too, mostly YA Fantasy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Mystery, and I write reviews. Check out my shelves to see if I’ve read a book that you enjoyed. I am passionate about my favorite books and favorite authors.

Thank you so much for your support and for buying and/or reading my work. I put everything I have into every book and I’m so thankful to be able to do so.

My newest book, Vault of Dreams, will be available on July 31st on Amazon in ebook and paperback.

Luke is actually truly really really friendly and I have absolutely no problems chatting to him about books and whatever else pops up! (Like cake 😉 ) I think this is definitely a book that needs to be read and it should be on all of your TBR’s! (intimidating glare)

So, happy release day to Luke with Vault of Dreams! I will eat an extra piece of cake and dedicate it to you, even if you are in a completely different country!! 😀 I look forward to more of his works!!

This Week in Books

This Week in Books is hosted by Lipsyy Lost and Found

Hey guys! I thought I would start joining in with this feature so that you guys could keep up with what I am currently reading (since my reviews are fairly behind what I am currently reading!) My goal is to finish my book by the end of the week so that I can finally get to The Healing Power of Sugar by C. L. Stone!! At the moment I am nearly halfway through

 Distraction by Laura Clark. I am having mixed feelings about this book, but there is just something about it that won’t let me put it down – weird!!

What about you guys? If you join in with this or you do something similar – or even if it is a Waiting on Wednesday – feel free to comment and leave links below!

This week in books

This Week in Books is hosted by Lipsyy Lost and Found.

Hey guys! I have decided that because I am so behind in m reviews since being pregnant, I am going to take part in This Week in Books every week so that you know what I am currently reading! This week I have two review books – both of which I am excited about°

 The Healing Power of Sugar by C. L. Stone. I received an ARC of this book by the author yesterday and have since then started the book and I am loving it so far!! I cannot wait to finish this book and review it for you guys!

 Distraction by Laura Clark. I was approached by the author in Goodreads, who gave me a copy of this book in return for an honest review. I have also already started this book and I am looking forward to reading the rest of it!

What are you guys reading this week? Feel free to leave comments and answers below.