2019 Bookending Spring Intro Post

Hello my dear book lovers, book bloggers, and writing enthusiasts! It's almost April and we know what that means, right? No? It means that the Bookending Spring event of 2019 is almost here!!

In case you haven't heard about the Bookending Spring event, or about the Bookending events in general, it's a very nice, super fun, super inspiring event put together by some awesome bloggers, Sam and Clo, with the collaboration of some other amazing bloggers. For more information and to sign up, go to Sam's Bookending Spring Announcement post. You've got daily prompts, that you can draw inspiration from and write as many blog posts as you can, you can blog hop and check what others have written and thought of for the daily prompts, and you can probably also bet on making your TBRs bigger. Since I'm all about inspiring myself, I want to do the full month.

Now. I know what you're going to say. You'll be all like "But Ruby, you've tried this twice now and you failed miserably". And you know what, you're right, I did fail miserably the past two events, but that's because I went at it the wrong way. Now I'm smarter, which means I've actually started planning my blog posts early, so I have most of these blog posts in my drafts, if not already scheduled by the time you read this post. So I'm sneaky that way.

But don't let my personal goal dictate what you want to do. Remember, that as with most blogging events, and blogging in general, you're supposed to have fun. So do as many or as few of these posts as you want. And if you want, share with me your links and I'll make sure to blog hop to your posts and see what your take on the daily prompts is.

Book Review: From Breath and Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan

Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Series: Elements of Five #1
Audience: YA
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: March 19th 2019
My Rating: 4.5 Cups
Source: InkSlinger PR
Blurb (from Goodreads):

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.
For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

Having been a fan of Carrie Ann Ryan's works for a few years now, I'm always ready to try out anything she writes. I was excited to hear about her upcoming venture in the YA genre, so when I got the opportunity to do so, I jumped at the occasion to read an advance copy of her book. I am happy to say that this book was just as good as I imagined.

Release Day Blitz: From Breath and Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

FROM BREATH & RUIN by Carrie Ann Ryan is available now - get your hands on this stunning first book in a debut YA fantasy series now!

   

About FROM BREATH AND RUIN

Available March 19, 2019

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

Excerpt Reveal: From Breath And Ruin by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

We're less than a week away from the release of FROM BREATH AND RUIN by Carrie Ann Ryan, but you can read the first two chapters now!

   

About FROM BREATH AND RUIN

Available March 19, 2019

In her YA debut, New York Times bestselling author Carrie Ann Ryan dives into a world with magic and sacrifice with the Elements of Five.

Five hundred years ago, the Maison Realm was shattered, divided into warring kingdoms of elemental Wielders with fate and truth shadowed and uncertain. Now, factions of both the light and dark venture into the human realm in search of the prophesied Spirit Priestess who is said to Wield the Elements of Five and bring the two fractured kingdoms together.

Lyric has no idea that there’s a realm outside the human one she lives in. When fate and circumstances are pulled from her hands after an accident, and she finds out that nothing is at it seems.

There is a war surrounding her and when Lyric realizes that they are searching for her, she must rely on those she once trusted: a boy who isn’t who she thought, and a new realm of warriors who have come to protect her as she trains.

For the darkness is coming, and the Queen of Obscurité wants to ensure that the King of Lumière can’t get his hands on Lyric. And the only way to ensure that is if Lyric herself is no more…no matter the cost to prophecy.

Anti-Valentine's Day Tag

Hi everyone! It's been ages since I last did a tag, and I have hoarded a lot of them oops. I also am very much aware that Valentine's Day is way behind us, but this is just to show how much I don't care for this particular...celebration? Whatever you want to call it (the romantic gene skipped a generation or two in my family LOL).

Anyway I was tagged by both Isabelle and Sophia to do this tag and I'm going to answer both sets of questions in one post. Let's get started!

Here are the rules for this lovely tag:

• Link back to the blog that tagged you!
• Answer the 10 anti-Valentine’s Day questions provided.
• Come up with your own 10 anti-Valentine’s questions for blogs you tag.
• Tag ten other bloggers to do the tag!

Cover Reveal: Falling With You by Carrie Ann Ryan

Ready for another stunning cover from Carrie Ann Ryan? FALLING WITH YOU releases July 16th - see the cover below and preorder your copy now!

 

About FALLING WITH YOU

Available July 16th, 2019

The day I lost my best friend was the day I realized that I'd been living in the past. I've tried to find a way to heal, to mend that break. Somehow, I came through it partially whole. But I know I couldn't have done that without Aiden Connolly.

The problem is, he once loved my best friend. And now she's gone, and I refuse to be in that shadow, or worse, a replacement for someone we both loved.

~~

I left them all behind.

My brother.

My family.

My best friend.

And her.

Only Sienna Knight doesn't realize what she means to me. But before I can make sure she knows, I need to figure out exactly what that is.

 

Preorder your copy of FALLING WITH YOU now!

Blog Tour Book review: Lady Derring Takes A Lover by Julie Anne Long

Author: Julie Anne Long
Series: The Palace of Rogues #1
Audience: Over 18
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: February 26th 2019
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: Harper Collins
Blurb (from Goodreads):

A mistress. A mountain of debt. A mysterious wreck of a building.

Delilah Swanpoole, Countess of Derring, learns the hard way that her husband, “Dear Dull Derring,” is a lot more interesting—and perfidious—dead than alive. It’s a devil of an inheritance, but in the grand ruins of the one building Derring left her, are the seeds of her liberation. And she vows never again to place herself at the mercy of a man.

But battle-hardened Captain Tristan Hardy is nothing if not merciless. When the charismatic naval hero tracks a notorious smuggler to a London boarding house known as the Rogue’s Palace, seducing the beautiful, blue-blooded proprietress to get his man seems like a small sacrifice.

They both believe love is a myth. But a desire beyond reason threatens to destroy the armor around their hearts. Now a shattering decision looms: Will Tristan betray his own code of honor…or choose a love that might be the truest thing he’s ever known?

*Disclaimer: I received an eARC of this book from Harper Collins in exchange for an honest review. This does not influence my rating or the content of my review in any way.

My journey in the land of Historical Romance continues this time with one of Julie Anne Long's books. She's been another author I've seen everywhere in this genre, and many have loved her books, and I can understand why. This was my first book by JAL, but I can tell you that I'll try delving into her backlist soon.

Blog Tour Book Review: Pure Bliss by Lexi Blake

Author: Lexi Blake
Series: Nights in Bliss, Colorado #6
Audience: Over 18
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: DLZ Entertainment, LLC
Release Date: March 5th 2019
My Rating: 5 Cups
Source: InkSlinger PR
Blurb (from Goodreads):

Re-released in a second edition with new content.

The town of Bliss, Colorado, offered Hope McLean a second chance at life, a gift she cherishes every day. Her past was dominated by dark secrets and regret, most of which centered on a man named Christian Grady. All of that was behind her now, years of horror distilled down into the occasional nightmare or a random feeling of being watched. Surrounded by new friends, she tried hard to leave the past where it belonged—in the rearview mirror.

Raised together, James Glen and Noah Bennett were the best of friends. They dreamed of growing up in Bliss, finding love, and settling down to share their lives on the Circle G ranch. James would manage the day-to-day operations of the ranch while Noah served the town as the resident veterinarian. Everything was perfectly planned out, until a woman came between them and their future shattered. Noah left Bliss for New York City and James was left to struggle to keep the Circle G alive on his own.

Noah returns to Bliss on a mission to rebuild his life. When he sees Hope, he knows his return home was meant to be. Hope’s kindness shines like a beacon calling him to her. Unfortunately, he isn’t the only man interested in Hope. James is also interested in the beautiful girl with a mysterious past. He can’t be forced to choose between the woman of his dreams and his best friend again.

As romance begins to bloom, a dark specter from Hope’s past returns to claim her. To save Hope, and themselves, James and Noah will have to rebuild the relationship they lost and fight for their future with Hope together.

Every new story that takes me back to the town of Bliss makes me a very, very happy reader. I always expect the craziest of stories, the most intense and heartbreaking backstories, as well as very hot sex scenes. I expect it all, and Lexi Blake delivers each and every time.

Audiobook Tour Book review: Evil's Unlikely Assassin by Jenn Windrow

Author: Jenn Windrow
Narrator: Chelsea Stephens
Length: 8 hours 49 minutes
Series: Alexis Black, Book 1
Audience: Over 18
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Irreverent Publishing
Release Date: Jan. 23, 2019
My Rating: 4 Cups
Source: Audiobookworm Promotions
Blurb (from Goodreads):

"Evil's Unlikely Assassin is a promising urban fantasy debut that features all that's great about the genre--action, attitude, and ass-kicking." -Jaye Wells, USA Today bestselling author of The Sabina Kane and Prospero's War series

Vampire Alexis Black is on a mission - to rejoin the human race.

Coerced into signing an ironclad contract by an Angel-with-attitude, Alexis must hunt down and assassinate at least one vampire, werewolf, or creepy crawly every night for fifty years to become human again. Too bad the contract didn’t mention the badass vampire who now rides shotgun in her brain, insatiable bloodlust, or her new I-hate-everything-with-fangs sidekick. If she can fulfill her end of the bargain, her humanity is restored, if not she will be destroyed.

But when a revenge-seeking bloodsucker threatens her city, Alexis must risk everything to ensure there’s a humanity to return to. Since her vampire nature is her greatest weapon to defeat the monsters that threaten her friends and future, Alexis must choose to accept her inner beast or watch those she loves die.

*Disclaimer: I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Jenn Windrow. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

*Disclaimer: This book contains mature content. As such my review may contain reference to material intended for a mature audience.

It's been a while since I was last surprised, truly surprised by a book with and about vampires. Even though vampires are my favorite supernatural creatures to read about, it's rare that I get to be truly taken by surprise by the stories they're a part of, but that's just what happened with Jenn Windrow's book.