Dragons of Nova by Elise Kova

The Dragons of Nova (Loom Saga #2)
by Elise Kova
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Publisher: Keymaster Press

Cvareh returns home to his sky world of Nova with the genius crafter Arianna as his temperamental guest. The mercurial inventor possesses all the Xin family needs to turn the tides of a centuries-old power struggle, but the secrets she harbors must be earned with trust — hard to come by for Ari, especially when it comes to Dragons. On Nova, Ari finds herself closer to exacting vengeance against the traitor who killed everything — and everyone – she once loved. But before Ari can complete her campaign of revenge, the Crimson Court exposes her shadowed past and reveals something even more dangerous sparking between her and Cvareh.

While Nova is embroiled in blood sport and political games, the rebels on Loom prepare for an all-out assault on their Dragon oppressors. Florence unexpectedly finds herself at the forefront of change, as her unique blend of skills — and quick-shooting accuracy — makes her a force to be reckoned with. For the future of her world, she vows vengeance against the Dragons.

Before the rebellion can rise, though, the Guilds must fall.



Ohhh Dragons of Nova! I wish I had written my review before I read the last few chapters of the book because now I can’t unread what I read.

The world in these books is vast and becomes even more so now that we spend our time on Nova. I loved reading about Ruana. It was interesting to see the Dragon world and it gives you a different view of Loom as well.

So the characters. Very strong woman in this series and it’s crazy how there are characters that I hate but love at the same time. Just because the way they are written.

My favorite characters are probably Petra and Florence. They are fierce figures who are thinking of the great purpose. It would probably be more beneficial for them to team up. They are not fueled by so much revenge and blind hate. They are more calculating and think about their actions. Florence really steps up in this book and it made me happy to see that. We also get more insight on the workings of Petra.

Arianna is a jerk. I just can’t make myself fully like her. I understand that she is a broken person and that Cvareh can see this. He gives her everything and she always seems to take. I hope that he can help her in the end. Her blind rage and arrogance cost Cvareh more than he deserves. I do love him though. He is so dedicated to his house, his family and his love. He’s willing to see things that he might not have understood before. He is open as much as Ari is closed off.

I also love Cain.

The Dono and his wife are a crazy scary couple that’s for sure. I love to hate them though. They are so scary ruthless. It makes them interesting. I of course do not want them to win, when all is set and done.

I think we learn more of the politics as well. Especially with the way that Loom and the Dragons work together. Of course the current rule is oppressive but there is also potential mixed in there as well. I like that it’s shown that Loom was not perfect before and they have learned things along the way as well.

Ahh so much. SO MUCH HAPPENS! I can’t even sum it up and I wouldn’t want to spoil anything anyway. I think I did like this book more than the first and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I need to know what’s going to happen next.

If you enjoy fantasy that is descriptive and sprawling in its world. I recommend this for you. It also has characters that are like prisms, full of many colors and depth.

Just as a side note. I really enjoy these books as audiobooks. I combined my reading in both ways. I think the audio does well to give you a stronger grasp of the world. I’m not sure why but that’s just how it works for me.

Elise Kova has always had a profound love of fantastical worlds. Somehow, she managed to focus on the real world long enough to graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration before crawling back under her favorite writing blanket to conceptualize her next magic system. She currently lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, and when she is not writing can be found playing video games, watching anime, or talking with readers on social media. She is the USA Today bestselling author of the Air Awakens Series as well as the Loom Saga.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Lucky in Love by Kasie West

Lucky in Love
by Kasie West
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: July 25th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

In this new contemporary from YA star Kasie West, a girl who wins the lottery learns that money can cause more problems than it solves, especially when love comes into the pic-ture.

Maddie doesn't believe in luck. She's all about hard work and planning ahead. But one night, on a whim, she buys a lottery ticket. And then, to her astonishment --

She wins!

In a flash, Maddie's life is unrecognizable. No more stressing about college scholarships. Suddenly, she's talking about renting a yacht. And being in the spotlight at school is fun... until rumors start flying, and random people ask her for loans. Now, Maddie isn't sure who she can trust.

Except for Seth Nguyen, her funny, charming coworker at the local zoo. Seth doesn't seem aware of Maddie's big news. And, for some reason, she doesn't want to tell him. But what will happen if he learns her secret?

With tons of humor and heart, Kasie West delivers a million-dollar tale of winning, losing, and falling in love.

What would you do if you won the lottery...in high school? Lucky in Love is a really cute story about Maddie who seems a little down on her luck until she buys a lottery ticket on her 18th birthday. From this she learns lessons about how money can seep into the best parts of your life if you let it.

I really liked Maddie. She is a super sweet girl that would do anything for her friends. She also is smart and works hard for her grades. Trying to not only get into the colleges she wants but also to get scholarships. Her dad lost his job 3 years earlier and caused the family struggles ever since. When she wins the lottery she might make changes but core Maddie is still there. It doesn’t matter if people choose to see that or not.

I loved Maddie and Seth! Seth is such a cutie and fun loving guy. All their interactions are the type that make you smile and remind you of young love. Such a cute romance and development of it between them. As they navigate from moving from the friend zone to more. Especially with sudden windfall.

I was so angry at Maddie’s parents! So so angry. I don’t care that she is 18, she is still in high school and I feel like they did not help her at all with managing her money. My parents would never in a million years let me go off and spend it without at least trying to giving me advice. Or saying hey let me take you to a financial advisor so you don’t get overwhelmed. Not just off hand suggesting it and letting her get by on her own. They really annoyed me. Her brother annoyed me too.

I liked how navigating being a high schooler with money is portrayed. I could see some of your friends could change because you have money and how new friends could definitely come out of the woodwork. Especially because Maddie has a good heart so it’s easy to take advantage of her. Again I felt like she got pushed out on a raft without any oars.

This was a really cute story and it’s definitely worth reading for the adorable romance.


I write YA. I eat Junior Mints. Sometimes I go crazy and do both at the same time. My nov-els are: PIVOT POINT and its sequel SPLIT SECOND. And my contemporary novels: THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, ON THE FENCE, THE FILL-IN BOYFRIEND, PS I LIKE YOU, and BY YOUR SIDE. My agent is the talented and funny Michelle Wolfson.

Website : Twitter : Facebook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Things that Distract Me from Reading

I figured I would share some reasons why there are times the blog is quiet. Besides my kids and juggling my work schedule with their crazy schedules (baseball baseball baseball) and of course my husband's as well. (He works too hard) These are some of the other things I'm passionate about.

GAMING

Yep this is a big one because I mostly play RPG games that are big time consumers. Of course gaming isn't the way it used to be. You used to beat a game and be done with it. Now there are times I play games multiple times. Dragon Age Inquisition is a great example of a game that can be replayed over and over. These are my current game obsessions;

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

So I was a lucky one who pre-orded the Switch and BOTW. I've beaten the game a couple of times but there is still so many things for me to do in it. Collect all the armor, shrines, side quest, Korok seeds, Master Sword Trials. When I just need some mental down time I turn this baby on and ride around on Epona and find small task to do. Of course I'm itching for the second DLC pack already.

I also have a PS4 and that's kind of the system I play when I want to hide. What I'm playing right now is actually an old game come back to life. I'm a huge Final Fantasy fan and have played almost all the games. I missed a few when they did the whole online thing. I couldn't afford the modem for my PS2 at the time (geez I'm old).


KOREAN DRAMAS

One of my favorite distractions is Korean Dramas. There was/is (I'm not sure anymore) was a Chicago station that ran Kdramas during the week. (I didn't have cable) Then awesome Bollywood music videos on the weekend. Nowadays they are so accessible it's awesome! Here are some my recent favorites but there is so many more....many more

A fair warning I love a happy ending love story but I can't help to be drawn to Bittersweet Love Stories as well. I'm not promising some of these won't rip at your heart.



My current watch right is;


MANGA/MANHWA/ANIME

I'm not sure if I can even pinpoint what I'm currently watching/reading etc. I jump around. Bride of the Water God manwha is actually the reason I started watching the drama. They a very different but that's not necessarily a bad thing. There are lots times I will go back and reread or rewatch just one installment of a series. Here are some of my favorite series though.



If you share my passions I'm always happy to chat about them. Just message me on twitter. I admit I am sometimes a little enthusiastic.


What Distracts You From Reading? 

Zodiac ReRead, Cupcakes and Giveaway


Hi everyone we are celebrating Zodiac by Romina Russell with a ReReadathon happening June 26-July16. Even if you can't participate right now, the summer is a great time to catch up because Thirteen Rising is just around the corner.


In order to celebrate instead of doing a review I decided I wanted to try something fun. I enjoy eating and one of my favorite foods is cupcakes. So I tried to make some Zodiac inspired cupcakes. I admit they didn't quite come out as I was hoping but I gave it the old college try. Here were my results.





So looking back there are things I did not know. Like you can buy a tool on amazon that will mix the colors easily for you. I did it by hand and so I don't feel like it came out as well. I wish I had done the cover Zodiac colors instead.


I feel like my cupcakes are looking more like Black Moon. It was fun to try though and I love Astrology, Astronomy and all that jazz anyway. I also made a pinterest board with some Galaxy cupcakes in case you want to make your own, that way you have a snack as your making your way through the Zodiac series!




Enter for a chance to win either one (1) grand prize set of Romina Russell’s Zodiac Series in paperback, including Zodiac, Wandering Star, and Black Moon (32.97) or to be one (1) of five (5) second place winners to receive a copy of Zodiac by Romina Russell (ARV: $10.99 each).

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter between 12:00 AM Eastern Time on June 26th, 2017 and 12:00 AM on July 17, 2017. Open to residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia who are 13 and older. Winners will be selected at random on or about July 21, 2017. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Void the Size of the World by Rachele Alpine Guest Post

A Void the Size of the World
by Rachele Alpine
Release Date: June 20th 2017
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Publisher: Simon Pulse

A haunting novel about a girl who must face the consequences after her actions indirectly lead to her sister’s disappearance.

Rhylee didn’t mean to kiss her sister’s boyfriend. At least, not the first time. But it doesn’t matter, because her sister, Abby, caught them together, ran into the dark woods behind their house…and never came home.

As evidence mounts that something terrible has happened to Abby, no one wants to face the truth. Rhylee can’t bring herself to admit what she’s done: that she is the reason her sister ran away. Now Tommy, Abby’s boyfriend, is the prime suspect in her disappearance, and Rhylee’s world has been turned upside down. Slowly, Rhylee’s family is breaking—their lives center on the hope that Abby will return. Rhylee knows they need to face the truth and begin healing—but how can they, when moving on feels like a betrayal? And how do you face the guilt of wishing a person gone…when they actually disappear?



Guest Post

I’ve always been a visual writer. I see a scene in my mind and write to express that picture. So it goes without saying that pictures are a huge inspiration to my writing. Specifically, the Pinterest boards that I create for my books. I spend a long time searching for pictures and then go back and look at them before almost every writing session to put myself into the mood that I’m trying to express with my words.

My Pinterest Board for A Void the Size of the World can be found here, and below are some of the pictures that I used when I needed to connect with the story.

Photo credit: Anna Baria
Photo credit: George Pruteanu
photo credit: Kyle Thompson
Photo credit: Bukowski
Rachele Alpine is a lover of binge watching reality TV, dogs, knitting, gummy peaches, and lots and lots of coffee!

One of her first jobs was at a library, but it didn't last long, because all she did was hide in the third-floor stacks and read. Now she's a little more careful about when and where she indulges her reading habit.

By day she's a high school English teacher, by night she's a mom and wife, and she writes during any time she can find in between!

Rachele lives with her husband and son in Cleveland, Ohio, but dreams of moving back to Boston, the city she fell in love with while attending graduate school there.

Website : Twitter : Facebook : Pinterest


a Rafflecopter giveaway