Bared to You by Sylvia Day

Bared to You by Sylvia Day

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ok I hate comparing books but I cant do a review of this without mentioning Fifty Shades of Grey the similarities are too much to even pretend they are nothing alike. Young girl, falls for a rich hunk of a man in his late 20's who just happens to have a deep dark secret from his past that he is unable to talk about. The only real difference between the two females in these two tales is that unlike Ana, Eva has also suffered her share of abuse.

I read (and loved) FSoG several months ago, before I was aware of the hype surrounding the series, and since then all I've heard is "If you loved this then you should read Bared to you"... "It's way hotter than fifty"..
I started reading this book around 11:30pm and sat up until 1:30 reading it and when I woke at 6am I decided to pass the time reading some more. Yes I found it interesting, and I did struggle to put it down, but I wouldn't class it as hotter than FSoG.. AS hot as maybe. It is written better though.

Both Eva and Gideon accept they are not perfect, in fact they both admit they are possessive and they accept this of each other, but it doesn't miraculously erase their insecurities. There is no denying that these two people are damaged, and in Gideon's case we are still left wondering how and by who.

Something bared to You had that FSoG was missing was the best friend, Eva's room-mate was very much present. Was there to help offer advice or even just a shoulder to cry on. Yes he was just as (or more than) scarred by his past, but he was ever present. There is plenty of room for growth for all characters involved, i just hope that future instalments doesnt see them "cured" after one therapy session together.

I am looking forward to reading the second instalment in the trilogy Reflected in You when it is released in October.

Yesterdays Daughter by Sallie Lundy-Frommer

Yesterday's Daughter by Sallie Lundy-Frommer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

I have read a lot of vampire stories lately, and although they are all different in their own ways and I have enjoyed most of them immensely there is just something about Yesterday's Daughter that makes me want to re-read it immediately.

Unlike most vampire stories you do not find yourself with a strong, confident, all powerful, super being at the start of the story, instead you have Grace, this attractive woman who has escaped from her life in foster care, not knowing where she came from. She is unable to walk in sunlight and has a craving for blood. She suspects she might be a vampire, but refuses to ask for help in fear of being experimented on. When she meets Malachi she finally finds some answers to her questions, including her true identity as Sapphira, as well as some extra questions as to how she came to grow up in the human world.

I am eagerly awaiting the 2nd instalment in this series, and I hope at some point we get to hear of Sapphira's lost decades.

Burning Bridges by Nadege Richards

Burning Bridges by Nadège Richards

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis.

Do or Die...

In a world that has been divided amongst the Hunter race and the Warrior, prisoners who have fallen prey to King Cyrus' decrees are forced into the arena to fight until death. Winner is granted mercy and privilege to see another sunrise. Death unto the weak. In an attempt to get back at everyone who has ever shut her out, seventeen year-old Princess Echo becomes another victim, dragging Ayden, her forbidden love, along in a race to freedom, to find out who she really is, and to put a world that has been swallowed by lies back together again.

In the first installment of The Bleeding Heart Trilogy, life becomes a dangerous game of kill or be killed, love or let go. When death threatens the forbidden love of an unlikely couple and they are forced to do the unthinkable, to what extent will they go to be together?

My review.

So I received a copy of this book from the Author, Nadège Richards, in exchange for an honest review and this is what you'll get.

So where to begin?

I initially marked this book as to be read simply because of the stunning cover.. I promise i don't usually judge books by the cover but this one screamed at me to be read. So when i was given the chance to read it I jumped. Literally.

From the very first line this book had my attention "I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, I was going to die tonight" how can you not be hooked after an opening line like that.

One of the things i liked about the telling of this tale is how the book begins in the present day with Echo and Ayden pitted against each other in the arena, then jumping back 5 weeks to when they first met. coming full circle the arena and beyond. I will admit that when I started to near the end of the book I was dreading it.. I didn't want either of them to be responsible for the death of the other.

If you are looking for a good read with immensely likeable characters then this is the book for you.
The only problem I had with the book was the use of the wrong homophones in a few places: waste instead of waist, hear instead of here.. there where a few more but not enough to spoil the overall enjoyment of the story.

I definitely cant wait til the 2nd instalment in the trilogy
Deceiving Destiny is released in December.

Edited to add.. I loved this book so much that although I already an ebook copy I purchased a paperback copy.



Thanks for reading.

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead

The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead 


My rating 5 of 5 stars.

I have waited so long to read this book and my expectations where high. I was not disappointed. It was so easy to slip back into the series, it felt like 'coming home'.

I loved the progression of Sydney and Adrian's relationship. The growth of their friendship and then the surprise of their feelings for each other. Considering Sydney's upbringing I understand why she didn't truly understand her growing feelings towards Adrian, but I would have loved to have read from Adrian's point of view.

It wasn't just Sydney and Adrian who experienced a growth in character. Jill, the Moroi princess who just wanted to be normal, is now accepting that she cant have/do certain things the way she used to. This girl is already sacrificing what she wants for the 'greater good' and isnt bitching about it. A far cry from the Jill who discovered her true identity in the last Vampire Academy book and a huge leap from the girl she was at the beginning of Bloodlines.

I put off reading this book because its been long awaited, and I knew I would enjoy it. I have savoured every moment reading it and once I got half way through the book I started to dread the ending. I did NOT want this book to end. In fact when it did end I had to go grab myself some comfort food. I cant believe I actually have to wait until February next year to read the next instalment.

If you haven't read this yet then I suggest you go and grab yourself a copy of the Vampire Academy series and start there.

Truth and Lies, Past and Present by Katherine Rochholz

Truth and Lies Past and Present by Katherine Rochholz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was so keen to read this book. I've heard really good things about it. Its been compared to Harry Potter with more female oomph however I found it VERY similar to Harry Potter in the beginning.

The first few pages with Katy on her own intrigued me, I could see there was a story I wanted to read, but once found by Antonio Jr I struggled to keep reading. There was a lot of information given out at once about school and lessons that I felt overwhelmed, and was surprised that Katy Lily didn't appear to be fazed by it. The first few chapters read like an information book/leaflet and I fought to carry on though and im really glad i did.

Once we got past the first two days of school the story flowed. Katy learning about her powers, her friendship with Gaivan. All of it enjoyable. With all good stories there has to be conflict, something for the hero or in this case the heroine to face and overcome. And this book has it. I wont talk about it because I don't want to spoil it for others.

This book IS worth reading. The only reason i haven't given it 5 stars is because of the problems at the beginning of the book. But it hasn't put me off. I will continue to read the series, and will introduce my young daughters to Katy Lily.. I'm sure they will also enjoy her story.

"There is no such thing as failure. There are only results."TonyRobbins

With that in mind I bring you my very first blog.

I have wanted to join the blogging world for a while, but never really knew where to start. I have come to the realisation that, like most things, the best place to begin is at the beginning.

Who am I? I am Shona, wife to Dave and mother to four beautiful girls and one rather handsome son.

What do I do? I am a stay at home mom and although some days can be incredibly difficult I love my 'job'. As a little girl my only goal was to be a mum. Look... I made it!

What is important to me? My family; I cannot imagine a world without them. truth and honesty; I don't like being lied to, not even little lies.  Continued learning; I want to learn with my children, if they ask me something I don't know the answer to then I will help them find the answer.

What do I like? I like love to read. Always have. I remember when I was younger my mum would always moan at me for sitting inside on warm sunny days with my head stuck in a book. Today I'm still the same, though I am more likely to sit in the garden reading while the children play