Category: Books/Writing

Jul 17

Can’t Wait Wednesday #13 – Twice in a Blue Moon

I’m joining in the fun with a Can’t-Wait Wednesday, a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Usually the books are ones yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Can’t Wait Wednesday #13 – Twice in a Blue Moon

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Published by Gallery Books on October 22, 2019
Pages: 368

As an adventurous send-off to her childhood, eighteen-year-old Tate Jones travels with her grandmother from their small town in Northern California to London. But the vacation of a lifetime is wonderfully derailed by the appearance of two charming Vermont farmers: grandfather Luther and his handsome grandson Sam.

Sam and Tate fall hard and fast. For two glorious weeks, the couple share their hopes, dreams, and secrets. Sam admits he suspects his grandfather is dying and that this could be the last trip they take together, and Tate reveals that she is the hidden daughter of one of the biggest film stars in the world—a secret she’s never told anyone before.

But when Tate is exposed by a crush of cameras and reporters, she knows she's been betrayed by the one person she thought she could trust. She is forced to decide whether she will return to her quiet life or embrace being in the public eye. So when Sam reappears in her world more than a decade later, can Tate forgive the past and rekindle the passion they shared on their magical trip abroad? And does she even want to?

I read Christina Lauren’s book The Unhoneymooners, that came out in the spring, and absolutely loved it. So, while the synopsis for this one has me raising my eyebrows a little, I’m going to give it a try!

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Jul 16

Sunday Post #13 – Two More Weeks to Go

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Hey everyone! It’s been a few weeks and I’m a couple of days late, but I’m finally back with another Sunday Post update, via Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

Unfortunately, I have nothing bookish to update. I am still mired in the depths of organic chemistry, but I miss my blog and chatting with folks about books and OH YEAH READING. At least, reading something other than my textbook. I did manage to squeeze in a couple of books during the ONE weekend between “semesters” that I didn’t have any homework. I have a TON of books that I read in May that I still need to review. So right now my mantra is, “Two more weeks. Just two. More. Weeks!!”

Good thoughts/vibes are appreciated. This class is kicking my ass, and I’m usually quite a good student. It’s awful, and is doing a number on my confidence and just overall mental state. :'( Like I said though…just two more weeks. It’s an IMPORTANT class though…and I’m not doing that great. :'(

I do have, though, your…

Weekly Dose of Adorableness

Because my sweet Noah boy is always cute, no matter how stressed out I am. LOL!

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Jul 12

Can’t Wait Wednesday #12 – Gravemaidens

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Gravemaidens (Gravemaidens, #1) by Kelly Coon
Published by Delacorte Press on October 29, 2019
Pages: 416

The start of a fierce fantasy duology about three maidens who are chosen for their land's greatest honor...and one girl determined to save her sister from the grave.

In the walled city-state of Alu, Kammani wants nothing more than to become the accomplished healer her father used to be before her family was cast out of their privileged life in shame.

When Alu's ruler falls deathly ill, Kammani’s beautiful little sister, Nanaea, is chosen as one of three sacred maidens to join him in the afterlife. It’s an honor. A tradition. And Nanaea believes it is her chance to live an even grander life than the one that was stolen from her.

But Kammani sees the selection for what it really is—a death sentence.

Desperate to save her sister, Kammani schemes her way into the palace to heal the ruler. There she discovers more danger lurking in the sand-stone corridors than she could have ever imagined and that her own life—and heart—are at stake. But Kammani will stop at nothing to dig up the palace’s buried secrets even if it means sacrificing everything…including herself.

When I was in middle and high school, I remember reading about ancient cultures that sacrificed maidens to their deities in hopes of success in war, a good harvest, etc. I always wondered how it felt to be one of those girls…and I have high hopes that this book is going to explore just that idea!

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Jul 03

Can’t Wait Wednesday #11 – Spin the Dawn

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Can’t Wait Wednesday #11 – Spin the Dawn

Spin the Dawn (The Blood of Stars #1) by Elizabeth Lim
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers on July 9, 2019
Pages: 416

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.

When I first read the synopsis for this book, I thought “Eh, tailor. Meh.” And then I read an early review that said it was pretty much SO MUCH MORE badass than the description made it sound, so I’m taking a chance on it!

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Jun 26

Can’t Wait Wednesday #10 – Gideon the Ninth

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Can’t Wait Wednesday #10 – Gideon the Ninth

Gideon the Ninth (The Ninth House, #1) by Tamsyn Muir
Published by Tor.com on September 10, 2019
Pages: 448

Gideon the Ninth is the most fun you'll ever have with a skeleton.

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead bullshit.

Tamsyn Muir's Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as necromantic skeletons. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won't set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon's sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.

Necromancers who use swordswomen instead of swordsmen? YES PLEASE. Why is this not published yet?!?

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Jun 19

Can’t Wait Wednesday #9 – The Merciful Crow

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Can’t Wait Wednesday #9 – The Merciful Crow

The Merciful Crow (The Merciful Crow, #1) by Margaret Owen
Published by Henry Holt (BYR) on July 30, 2019
Pages: 384

A future chieftain

Fie abides by one rule: look after your own. Her Crow caste of undertakers and mercy-killers takes more abuse than coin, but when they’re called to collect royal dead, she’s hoping they’ll find the payout of a lifetime.

A fugitive prince

When Crown Prince Jasimir turns out to have faked his death, Fie’s ready to cut her losses—and perhaps his throat. But he offers a wager that she can’t refuse: protect him from a ruthless queen, and he’ll protect the Crows when he reigns.

A too-cunning bodyguard

Hawk warrior Tavin has always put Jas’s life before his, magically assuming the prince’s appearance and shadowing his every step. But what happens when Tavin begins to want something to call his own?

Mercy killers? Bodyguards, soldiers, and princes? TAKE MY MONEY. I’m so ready for this and I am SO excited it’s coming out at the end of July, just in time for my few weeks of break from school before the fall semester starts!

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Jun 12

Can’t Wait Wednesday #8 – The Girl the Sea Gave Back

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Can’t Wait Wednesday #8 – The Girl the Sea Gave Back

The Girl the Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young
Published by Wednesday Books on September 3, 2019
Pages: 336

, Buy on Amazon

The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.

I am SO stinking excited for this book! I loved Adrienne’s debut novel, Sky in the Deep, and SERIOUSLY need some more Viking-type fiction in my life. I have this pre-ordered and absolutely cannot wait!

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Jun 09

Sunday Post #12 – Speaking Organic

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Hey everyone! Back with another Sunday Post update, via Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s been a LONG time since I did a Sunday Post, but I’d like to get back into it regularly as a way to wrap up. I’m totally patterning mine off of Kimberly’s, at least for now.

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Not going to lie, folks, this week has been pure hell. I was braced for the onslaught that I knew would be a summer organic chem class, but I wasn’t truly prepared for the amount of homework and general feeling of flailing around and trying to cram SO MUCH information into my poor brain in such a short amount of time! I had time to read a grand total of ONE chapter in my book until last night, when I decided that after an exam I deserved a break. I finished it Saturday morning, and it was great…but now I have this mountain of homework to finish by Monday morning and…I’m seriously doubting my life choices right now.

Weekly Dose of Adorableness

Noah in a rare, brief – very brief – moment of snuggling with Tristan (the cat you can barely see here).

Last Week on Blog

Stepsister – YA fantasy review
June 2019 New Releases
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek – historical fiction review
Can’t Wait Wednesday #7 – Capturing the Devil

Next Week on the Blog

The Bride Test – adult romance review
Aru Shah and the End of Time – MG review
Can’t Wait Wednesday

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Jun 05

Can’t Wait Wednesday #7 – Capturing the Devil

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Can’t Wait Wednesday #7 – Capturing the Devil

Capturing the Devil (Stalking Jack the Ripper, #4) by Kerri Maniscalco
Published by Jimmy Patterson on September 10, 2019
Pages: 448

, Buy on Amazon

In the shocking finale to the bestselling series that began with Stalking Jack the Ripper, Audrey Rose and Thomas are on the hunt for the depraved, elusive killer known as the White City Devil. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse has them fighting to stay one step ahead of the brilliant serial killer---or see their fateful romance cut short by unspeakable tragedy.

Audrey Rose Wadsworth and Thomas Cresswell have landed in America, a bold, brash land unlike the genteel streets of London they knew. But like London, the city of Chicago hides its dark secrets well. When the two attend the spectacular World's Fair, they find the once-in-a-lifetime event tainted with reports of missing people and unsolved murders.

Determined to help, Audrey Rose and Thomas begin their investigations, only to find themselves facing a serial killer unlike any they've heard of before. Identifying him is one thing, but capturing him---and getting dangerously lost in the infamous Murder Hotel he constructed as a terrifying torture device---is another.

Will Audrey Rose and Thomas see their last mystery to the end---together and in love---or will their fortunes finally run out when their most depraved adversary makes one final, devastating kill?

I’m pretty sure EVERYONE has heard of this series already and probably already seen the cover for the final, but I’m just so freaking excited for it!! Not only is it the conclusion of the Aubrey and Thomas story (and damn it, he had better be treated RIGHT in this one), but it’s about the Devil in the White City! I actually read a book about that awhile ago (book wasn’t great, but the story was super interesting), so I’m really eager to see how Kerri brings the events to life. And of course…AUBREY AND THOMAS. Oh my gosh. How am I going to survive until September?!?

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Jun 03

June 2019 New Releases

Lizzy Books/Writing 0

Somehow, I only have four books to share for June pre-orders! My wallet is definitely heaving a huge sigh of relief. May seemed to be a GIGANTIC month in publishing, there were soooo many books coming out that I wanted to buy and read! This is just, as always, the books I have pre-ordered, it is by no means an exhaustive list of all the amazing books being published this month…just the ones I absolutely couldn’t live without!

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All covers link to GoodReads!

I Wanna Be Where You Are – this just sounds adorable and I need more diverse summer books in my life. A lot of the ones I’ve been finding are very, very white and only white and that’s sad.
Teeth in the Mist – IT’S A FAUST RETELLING GUYS!!!!! And it’s female driven. YES PLEASE TAKE MY FIRSTBORN.
The Girl in Red – Little Red Riding Hood told in Christina Henry’s epically creepy style (I hope). YES YES.
Wicked Fox – set in Seoul, with Korean legends and soul-stealing and immortality? This just sounds amazing, even more so since it’s the first of a duology (at least…there are two books listed on GR currently).