SWOON Thursday #1

SWOON Thursday is a meme hosted by YA Bound. Where bloggers and book readers share the latest swoon-worthy moment they've come across from the book they're currently or just finished reading.

Before I jump into my first SWOON Thursday post, I just wanted to say how much this meme made me smile. After doing a little research, I realised it has been around for a while, but I only just stumbled across it. I've always been a fan of a little romance in books and anything that brings on the swoon moments works for me. 

Despite being hosted by a more YA focused blog - I've picked my most recent adult Urban Fantasy read, for the sweetest little moment that made me swoon like mad! (I promise it's PG) 

Fury's Kiss - Karen Chance

"You're not supposed to be awake," he told me softly. And tried to gather me up. But that wasn't what I wanted.

"No." I pushed at him, ineffectually.

"What is it?"

"Little spoon."

"You are hungry?"

I didn't answer, because he wasn't making sense. I just arranged him the way I wanted, needed. A big, warm, muscle-y pillow that I could drape myself around, like a child with a favourite toy.

A toy with a lot of hair. A mass like silk hit me in the face, making it hard to breathe. I pushed it up and over the soft mound of the pillow, and the snuggled up behind him, pressing my face to a neck that smelled like - 

Yes.

Yes.

I took a deep breath, and sighed it out into his ear.

"Ah," he said, a hand covering the one I'd placed on his stomach, as I pulled him back against me. "I see."

I sighed again, my whole body relaxing. The pain, the confusion, all of it releasing, slipping away. Like the room. And the a thought occurred, right on the edge of sleep.

"If I'm not supposed to be awake, why are you here?" I mumbled.

"To be the little spoon."

And that's my SWOON Thursday for this week. 

Kim

p.s. Want to share your SWOON Thursday with Twitter? Tweet your swoon-worthy moment with the hashtag #YABound and share the love with more book fans!

Waiting on Wednesday #6

'Waiting On' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you can gush about books that you're desperate to get your hands on...if only they were published already.

I've been in a bit of a YA Contemporary mood over the last few weeks. I haven't actually read too many of them, but I've been wanting to. Today I finally pre-ordered a YA Contemporary I've been waiting for all year. Because I'm dying to read it, I thought it'd be perfect for my WoW post this week.

All the Broken Pieces by Cindi Madsen 

What if your life wasn’t your own?

Liv comes out of a coma with no memory of her past and two distinct, warring voices inside her head. Nothing, not even her reflection, seems familiar. As she stumbles through her junior year, the voices get louder, insisting she please the popular group while simultaneously despising them. But when Liv starts hanging around with Spencer, whose own mysterious past also has him on the fringe, life feels complete for the first time in, well, as long as she can remember.

Liv knows the details of the car accident that put her in the coma, but as the voices invade her dreams, and her dreams start feeling like memories, she and Spencer seek out answers. Yet the deeper they dig, the less things make sense. Can Liv rebuild the pieces of her broken past, when it means questioning not just who she is, but what she is?

This book went through two cover reveals during the year and I'm so glad they ended on this one, because I adore it - The shattered glass, the mix of faces...the colours! And that's just the cover.

I have this slight obsession with broken and troubled characters in contemporaries; and it looks like All the Broken Pieces is going to deliver when it comes to damaged characters. I can't wait!


And that's my WoW for this week.
Kim

Waiting on Wednesday #5

'Waiting On' Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine, where you can gush about books that you're desperate to get your hands on...if only they were published already.

I haven't done one of these in a while, but felt like complaining about the agony of waiting for books with the people who are most likely to understand my pain.

I've been doing a few re-reads lately of a series I only discovered this year - and was incredibly angry at myself for ignoring in the past - Gallagher Girls, by Ally Carter. And while the re-reads are just as good as when I first read the series, it got me thinking about how I'm dying for a new Ally Carter book.

So my latest WoW post is dedicated to Ally's next book - Perfect Scoundrels (Heist Society #3)

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of lovable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. 

No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. 

Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

Ally always makes a book fun, funny, exciting and dangerous. I can't wait to get my hands on this book!


Kim

Showcase Sunday #5

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea where bloggers show off what goodies they received throughout the week.

I haven't done one of these in a while, mostly because I've been waiting for a few new books to trickle in. You can't show off your goodies if you've got nothing to show. The month has been full of super cool books and I'm excited to share them with everyone. 

Foretold - Jana Oliver 

The final book in the Demon Trappers series. I felt like I had been waiting so long for this book to arrive and it finally did. Reading the conclusion to Riley and Beck's story was perfect. I hope to have a review up soon. 

Gunmetal Magic - Ilona Andrews

I haven't gushed enough about this series on the blog, but Ilona Andrews' 'Kate Daniels' series is one of my favourite Urban Fantasy stories ever. Gunmetal Magic is a spin-off book in the series and is a fantastic book. I wish there had been more to the story. 

Biting Cold - Chloe Neill 

If I have to pick a favourite supernatural genre, it's nearly always going to be vampires. I always get a little excited when I read another vampire story. They make me happy. Biting Cold is the 6th book in the Chicagoland Vampires series and it definitely made me happy. 

Pushing the Limits - Katie McGarry

I think I've found another YA Contemporary author that I will forever adore. Pushing the Limits is an amazing and emotional story. Everyone must read it!

Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas

The first book in a  new YA fantasy series. I think I've read more fantasy books this year than I have in a quite a while. It's an interesting start to the series.

Losing Lila - Sarah Alderson

I've been waiting to get my hands on Losing Lila since I finished reading Hunting Lila. This one is full of action and danger and lots of shirtless Alex. It's worth reading. 

Foretold (14 tales of prophecy) - ed. Carrie Ryan

I bought this book mainly for the Richelle Mead story. Who wouldn't want to read about Rose and Dimitri again? I know there are some fantastic authors included in the anthology and I look forward to reading the rest of their stories soon.

Thin Air - Rachel Caine

Last week I started Rachel's 'Weather Warden' series and I'm hooked. Dying for the next books, I ordered books 3-5 online and thought that'd be enough for a while, but a visit to Basement Books meant finding book #6 - so I can't wait for the others to arrive. I've got a lot of Weather Warden awesomeness to keep me occupied now.






Red-Headed Stepchild - Jaye Wells

I have decided I should probably avoid Big W's bargain box. It's usually full of random paranormal or just everyday romance novels, but I have been on the lookout for more Rachel Caine books and in the past I've found them in this box. Well, this week, my local Big W updated their box and I found the first book in Jaye Wells' 'Sabina Kane' series. It sounded like a cool book and for $3.47...I couldn't resist.

And that's it for me this week. Hope everyone's had a good book week! 

Kim

Showcase Sunday #4

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea where bloggers show off what goodies they received throughout the week.

I've been holding off doing a Showcase Sunday post for a while, partly because I had nothing to show off - I've been trying to limit what I spend because there are so many unread books sitting on my shelf. But the year has been a little tough family-wise and I decided to deal with it by buying more books! I've managed to only read one off the list so far, I've been working through other unread books on my shelf. But I hope to get through some of these ones soon. So here are the new additions to my bookshelf. 

Books I bought:

The Body Finder - Kimberly Derting

I wanted to read Kimberly's The Body Finder series ever since I read The Pledge earlier this year. After a friend read and loved it, I couldn't resist buying a copy in Kmart. Can't wait to see what the series is like.

Once Burned - Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series is one of my favourite PNR books I've come across and I was so excited to find out Vlad - one of the coolest vampires ever - was getting his own spin-off series (Night Prince). I'm looking forward to his heated story!

Before I Wake - Rachel Vincent

I have been desperate to get my hands on this book for what seems like months. Ever since I finished If I Die last year, I needed to find out what happened next. Terrible mail luck meant I've been waiting longer than I thought I would, but Before I Wake finally arrived last week and I've already devoured it. Look out for my review soon.

Hourglass and Timepiece - Myra McEntire

Sometimes I wonder what I would do without my Twitter book friends. They recommend the coolest books. Hourglass and Timepiece are two of those books. I spent a couple of weeks kicking myself for not joining in a Myra McEntire group read, so now I'll be playing catch-up on my own. At least I know who I'll discuss with when I'm done.

Grave Mercy - Robin LaFevers

Like with my Year-of-the-Witch plan, I think this year is also the year of Fantasy books. I feel like I've read more than I normally would and the year isn't over yet. I love the sound of Grave Mercy and can't wait to be a part of its epic story soon.






Books I was given:

The Rook - Daniel O'Malley

I know almost nothing about this book, even after reading the blurb a few times, but my best friend met the author a couple of months ago and told me I had to read it. So when I saw her, she passed along a spare copy.

Anna Dressed in Blood - Kendare Blake

I've heard this book is extremely creepy, but super cool. I've been wanting to get my hands on it for a while and I'm lucky to still be interning with Hachette Australia, so I got the chance to snag a copy last week. It's on my list of books to read in the near future. Can't wait.

Samurai Game - Christine Feehan 

A surprise book from Hachette. Found this one on my desk last week. It's the 10th book in a PNR series which sounds really good. I'll have to find out if it can be read by itself, otherwise I know what I'll be getting soon: More Christine Feehan books!

The Calling - Kelley Armstrong

Another surprise Hachette book. I was hooked from the first time I saw the cover. Looks like a cool book. Also a sequel, so I'll have to find the first book, but that shouldn't be too hard, especially because it looks like my kind of book!

And that's it for this week. 

Kim

Showcase Sunday #3

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea where bloggers show off what goodies they received throughout the week.

I haven't shared my goodies for a while, mostly because there hasn't been much to show off. But I finally have a stack I want to show off. So check them out below. 

A Witch in Love - Ruth Warburton 

I read A Witch in Winter earlier this year and loved it. It helped to fuel my witch obsession for this year. Managed to snag a copy of A Witch in Love from Hachette and I can't wait to see what trouble Anna will get caught up in this time.

The Golden Lily - Richelle Mead 

A book I've been waiting so long for, ever since that epic cliff-hanger ending for Bloodlines. Ok, probably not the biggest cliff-hanger ever, but it made me pretty anxious to get my hands on The Golden Lily. So glad to own this one, I'm a big Richelle Mead fan. 

Shadow Bound - Rachel Vincent

I've had this one for a couple of weeks now and I'm so angry at myself for not finding the time to read it yet. I hope to get around to it soon. Another sequel that I've been dying to read for quite some time. Can't wait for the danger, the power and the chance to explore Rachel Vincent's latest novel. 

Bad to the Bone & Bring on the Night - Jeri Smith-Ready 

Jeri has become one of my favourite authors in the last year. She rocks. I wanted to read her adult vampire series for so long and I've had book #1 (Wicked Game) on my shelf for months. Some of my lovely Twitter friends convinced me that it was necessary to have all 3 books nearby when I dive in. I plan to start them very soon. 

Deadlocked - Charlaine Harris 

The latest Sookie Stackhouse book. I've heard mixed things about this book, but I do want to see what happens. 

And that's my Showcase Sunday for this week. 

Kim

Showcase Sunday #2

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea where bloggers show off what goodies they received throughout the week.

I started Showcase Sunday a couple of weeks ago and then had a slow week, so I pushed everything back until I had more to show off. This is what I got for the last two weeks. 

The Forsaken - Lisa Stasse

This was a proof copy from Hachette. I saw the cover and thought it looked pretty cool and the concept was  really interesting too: exiled criminals struggling to get off a remote island. I enjoyed it a lot. 

Heist Society & Uncommon Criminals - Ally Carter

As you may have noticed, I've been slowly putting up my reviews for Ally Carter's other series - Gallagher Girls. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to read Heist Society too. I've only just started it and I'm in love already. Ally can do no wrong for me. 

Shine - Jeri Smith-Ready 

At the beginning of the year I won a competition on Kilt & Keeley which involved getting a signed copy of Shine. It feels like I've been waiting forever for it and this week it finally arrived. I may have danced and screamed a bit when it got here. And it came with some awesome signed swag, which I always love getting with books :)

And that's it for this week. What goodies made it onto your shelves?

Kim

Showcase Sunday #1

Showcase Sunday is a weekly meme hosted by Vicky at Books, Biscuits & Tea where bloggers show off what goodies they received throughout the week.

By now most YA book bloggers know of the IMM issue. At first I was just going to ignore the whole thing. I didn't want any part in it and I was going to keep participating in IMM posts because I loved the idea sharing my book love each week. Last week I didn't post anything because I spent too much time questioning the idea of keeping IMMs - I almost didn't post anything this week either. But then I visited the lovely Shirley @ Shiirleyy's Bookshelf and saw her Showcase Sunday post and I thought it was perfect. So thank you Shirley and Vicky for giving me an outlet to show off my goodies. 

So this posts covers 2 weeks worth of books. 

Shine- Jeri Smith-Ready

Over the past few months I've become pretty obsessed with the Shade series. Shine is the final book in the trilogy and I was dying to get my hands on it. Such a fantastic book, perfect end to the series - if you haven't read the Shade series you should totally check it out, you won't be sorry.

City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare

Like so many people, I couldn't wait to get my hands on the next book in The Mortal Instruments series. I've got about 100 pages to go and I'm loving this book. I'm not sure I'm the biggest fan of the cover, but it's shiny, so I sort of have to love it.

Ill Wind & Heat Stroke - Rachel Caine

An impulse buy. I was in Big W last week and I always check out their romance/paranormal bargain basket. I always seen Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series in there, but usually it's book 4 or book 6. Well this time I actually spotted books 1 and 2, so I couldn't resist picking them up. I'm a fan of Rachel Caine's YA series (Morganville) and loves the first book in The Revivalist series (Working Stiff). Can't wait to give Ill Wind a go.

People Might Hear You - Robin Klein 

Another impulse buy. 2 weeks ago, I went to the last ever UNSW Book Fair with Mandee and almost left without buying anything. And then I spotted a book I read in High School - People Might Hear You - and desperately wanted to show it to my sister. It was only 50c. Bargain! 

Take My Word For It - John Marsden 

My best friend works in a bookstore in southern NSW. Over Easter, her store held a book event and invited a whole heap of Aussie authors for panels and talks. Unfortunately, due to family issues, I couldn't go; which was really sad because one of the authors was JOHN MARSDEN! But she managed to get a few signed books for my sisters and me, and I can't thank her enough. 

The Industry - Rose Foster 

I won a copy of The Industry on Erin's blog a couple of weeks ago. So thank you Erin and Harper Collins for such a fantastic giveaway. Can't wait to read it.

And that's it for this week. What special things did you get? Leave links below and I'll check them out. 

Kim

Blogspiration #5

Blogspiration is a new weekly meme hosted by GrowingUp YA and Saz101. Where inspirational quotes/pictures/videos are posted to bring a little creativity or conversation into the blogging world.

I know, you're shocked - a Blogspiration post 2 weeks in a row? You're probably thinking "Kim must be insane!" Well, you might be right, but that's not why I'm posting again. Last week Sarah sparked my blogspiration interest with Doctor Who and this week is no different. I'm going to share a bit more Doctor Who love. 

My absolute favourite video featuring my FAVOURITE Doctor (David Tennant) and one of the best companions (Catherine Tate).

Enjoy!

p.s. David Tennant and a Scottish accent...I dare you not to swoon.

Kim

In My Mailbox #16

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren.

I surprised myself this week by actually buying a couple of books. I haven't bought anything for myself in such a long time and I had to stop myself from going a little crazy and buying every book I could get my hands on. Check out my goodies below.

Rhiannon of the Spring - Allen Frenwin Jones

The first book in the Destiny's Path series, given to me by Hachette. I keep seeing the covers everywhere and they're gorgeous. I love a good action heroine. And a Saxon invasion which forces the heroine to fight? Perfect! Can't wait to see what this one is like.

[Note on the cover: I usually use Goodreads covers and they're pretty good at having all editions loaded for well established books. But Goodreads has the series down as the "Warrior Princess" series and Hachette clearly markets the series as "Destiny's Path" and I wanted to show the copy I received, so just note, the book will be labelled differently on Goodreads.]

Storm - Brigid Kemmerer

I have been waiting what feels like forever for this book! I read the prequel novella (Elementals - same as the series name) a few weeks ago when I needed something amazing to lift my spirits, and it did. Since then, I've been dying for more of the Merrick Brothers and to find out just what their lives are really like. I've just about finished Storm, so look for the review soon. It's an amazing book so far.




Black Dawn - Rachel Caine

The next instalment in the Morganville Vampires series, another I've been waiting forever for. Morganville is a strange little town, one I've become addicted to, especially in the last couple of books. The energy has just jumped to a whole new level. I'm looking forward to getting back into this world.

Book marks & badges from my lovely twitter friend, Pavan. A couple of the bookmarks are signed. You can see Slide's signature, but Shade's also signed :) Thank you so much Pavan :)

Speaking of signed swag. This meant to go up a couple of weeks ago, but family issues made me forget. Signed bookmarks and extra special book plates from Jeri Smith-Ready. I may have squealed when I saw they had arrived.

And that's my mailbox for this week.

Kim