#TBT One of my all time favorites!!

STARCROSSED (Starcrossed #1) By: Josephine Angelini

5 STARS!!

Good Reads Synopsis:
How do you defy DESTINY?

Helen Hamilton has spent her entire sixteen years trying to hide how different she is - no easy task on an island as small and sheltered as Nantucket. And it's getting harder. Nightmares of a desperate desert journey have Helen waking parched, only to find her sheets damaged by dirt and dust. At school she's haunted by hallucinations of three women weeping tears of blood... and when Helen first crosses paths with Lucas Delos, she has no way of knowing they're destined to play the leading roles in a tragedy the Fates insist on repeating throughout history.

As Helen unlocks the secrets of her ancestry, she realizes that some myths are more than just legend. But even demigod powers might not be enough to defy the forces that are both drawing her and Lucas together - and trying to tear them apart.




This book really revitalized my love of Greek Mythology. I love retellings of old legends in a new and fun way. I cannot tell you how many times I have read this book...too many to count. The reason? It is fantastic! The story line sucks me in every time. It is breathtakingly beautiful and heart breaking all at once. This is one of those series that I could read over and over again. It was torturous waiting for the other books in the series to come out, but the entire trilogy was simply fantastic.
If you haven't read this one yet, pick it up! You'll be glad you did!

The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey

THE ALLURE OF JULIAN LEFRAY by R.S. GREY

5 STARS!


Synopsis from Good Reads:
From: JosephineKeller@LLDesigns.com
To: LilyNBlack@gmail.comSubject: Justin Timberlake Nudes!

Lily, you predictable perv. I knew you’d open this email faster if I tempted you with a glimpse of JT's “PP”. Well, put your pants back on and grab some bubbly because I have much better news to share.

I GOT A JOB!

As of tomorrow, I’ll be the new executive assistant at Lorena Lefray Designs. I am SO excited, but there’s one itty bitty problem: I won’t be Lorena’s assistant. I’ll be working for her older brother, Julian.

I know what you're thinking- "But Jo, what’s the problem?"

Google him. Now. He’s the man in the fitted navy suit whose face reminds you that there’s hope yet for this cruel, ugly world. Keep scrolling…Do you see those dimples? Yup. That’s the Julian Lefray I will be reporting to tomorrow morning.

Lord, help us all...

XO,
Jo 

Where to start...I can say that this is the second book by the great R.S. Grey that I have read (and been thoroughly impressed with). Once again Grey does not disappoint. This book was a witty, sexy, whirlwind! The characters were complex and lovable. The dialog especially on Jo's part was hilarious. Some of her one liners are absolutely amazing. I totally now have a girl crush on Jo! Bottom line, if you are looking for a feel good read with a sexy side this book will give you your fix!

I cannot wait to see the story line between Dean & Lily!

Sabbatical

Does two years count as a sabbatical?? Probably not...over the past 3 years I have been super MIA not only from the reading universe, but also from my beloved blog. Bare with me while I get my bearings back as I climb back on my writing train. Be prepared to see quite a few reviews over the next few months as I catch up on all of the waisted time!!!

FINALLY!! The Fiery Heart ( Bloodlines # 4) by Richelle Mead

THE FIERY HEART (Bloodlines # 4) by Richelle Mead

5 STARS!

Synopsis from Good Reads:
In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.
 I feel like I have been in a reading rut lately...like maybe it isn't these authors that I adore...but I have dug myself into such a hole of expectation that I cannot get out of it.
Richelle Mead has saved me from that hole and thankfully has redeemed my thoughts on what is to expect from an author of a certain caliber. No offense to those that I have read recently, but it looks like the blame was all on me for building up my expectations too high and letting them crash and burn.
I will start by saying that I love the Bloodlines series...and if you haven't read it you seriously need to. However, if you haven't read the Vampire Academy Series you need to do that first! This is a spin off series so it would just be best!

The Fiery Heart...pure AMAZING. Adrian was fab, Sydney stupendous, the rest of the gang wasn't in this book as much, but it was seriously just WOW.
I promised myself that I wouldn't give too much away so I will keep it sort and sweet:
Me reading the book:
 Awww
OH NO!
WHAT?
YEAH!
NO!!!!!
Right on Sydney!
Stupid Cliff Hanger how will I ever make it to this Summer???

So to Sum up in two words:
READ IT!

The Mortal Instruments 2-4 review

So I have decided to lump books 2-4 together. For no particular reason...
I am going to start with book 2 and work my way back.

CITY OF ASHES (The Mortal Instruments # 2) by Cassandra Clare

4 Stars (Maybe 3.75)

Synopsis from GR:
Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

It is really hard for me when I pick up a new book and there are gaps in between the books and there is a lot of back story. I mention this because it is not only a big pet peeve of mine, but a serious 'fear' of me missing out on a story line or having to rush through a book to understand what happened when I wasn't around. I was really worried that this series would be like that...thankfully it isn't. This story picked up right where the first book left off and it was a suspense filled one! I am so thrilled with this series and I cannot wait to delve more into it. I am also super excited that Clare intends to write 5 or 6 series in this same world! I love when authors do that! Oh and look at how stunning that cover is! Moving right along:



THE CITY OF GLASS (The Mortal Instruments # 3) by Cassandra Clare

5 Stars! WOW This book really did it for me!

Synopsis:
To save her mother's life, Clary must travel to the City of Glass, the ancestral home of the Shadowhunters - never mind that entering the city without permission is against the Law, and breaking the Law could mean death. To make things worse, she learns that Jace does not want her there, and Simon has been thrown in prison by the Shadowhunters, who are deeply suspicious of a vampire who can withstand sunlight.

As Clary uncovers more about her family's past, she finds an ally in mysterious Shadowhunter Sebastian. With Valentine mustering the full force of his power to destroy all Shadowhunters forever, their only chance to defeat him is to fight alongside their eternal enemies. But can Downworlders and Shadowhunters put aside their hatred to work together? While Jace realizes exactly how much he's willing to risk for Clary, can she harness her newfound powers to help save the Glass City - whatever the cost?

Love is a mortal sin and the secrets of the past prove deadly as Clary and Jace face down Valentine in the third installment of the New York Times bestselling series The Mortal Instruments.

 So IMO this series just keeps getting better and better! This book in particular was a HOME RUN for me. I was a little surprised at some of the events in the book, but once again I see where you are going with this Miss Clare and I love it! Very rarely do I rate a book 5 stars. It could be a really well written book but usually I find a small part of the book leaving me wanting something. This book was perfect! I loved where the story line went. I enjoyed the development of characters and the introduction to new characters. I cannot wait to read book number four and five! Super excited! 


CITY OF FALLEN ANGELS (The Mortal Instruments # 4) by: Cassandra Clare

 3 Stars
Synopsis from GR:


Clary is back in New York and life is good: she’s in training to be a shadowhunter and is finally able to call Jace her boyfriend. But nothing comes without a price. When Jace inexplicably begins to pull away from her, Clary is forced to acknowledge that she herself has set in motion a chain if events that could lead to the loss of everything she loves. Even Jace.

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge.
The stakes are higher than ever…


Okay I am not even sure where to begin with this one...except IMHO this book was a MAJOR MAJOR let down. I really wasn't even sure I wanted to give this book 3 stars...And I predicted in the previous book that I absolutely knew what was going to happen as far as the villan is concerned and ding ding ding...we have a winner. The only problem? It was horribly done. Everyone that is supposed to be happy ends up being miserable and the story line itself is super depressing...To be honest I am not even sure when I will start book number 5 because if it is anything like this one my love for the series will be lost. SIGH it was going so well!! After reading some other things about this series I have heard rumors that it was originally supposed to be a trilogy and honestly if that is the truth it would have been really great! Here is to HOPING that book number 5 and 6 will redeem the series for me. Sorry to end on such a downer.

The City of Bones (Mortal Instruments # 1) by Cassandra Clare

THE CITY OF BONES ( Mortal Instruments #1 ) by Cassandra Clare

4.5 Stars

Goodreads synopsis:
When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing―not even a smear of blood―to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know...

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Where to start? First off I guess I will start out by saying where the heck have I been?? I understand that sometimes I am a bit behind the times...but this came out in 2007! I should have read this years ago...the benefit is that not only are all six books in the series out, BUT the first movie hit theaters in August and will be out in December on DVD/Blu-ray. Very exciting.

As for the book, it was really well done. Fast paced, solid characters, excellent plot. It certainly left me wanting more and thankfully I have the second book with me so I don't have to wait too long for my next nerdy fix. I was a little dissapointed at how the book ended, but I am on to you Miss Clare and I am hoping that my instincts are correct with your plot development!

I hope you all pick this one up! I will keep you posted on the rest of the series and the movie!
TTFN. 

Goodreads Choice Awards 2013!

Final Round of Goodreads best book of 2013 voting
Voting ends on the 25th of November