The Seven Deadly Sins Tag!

Thanks for tagging us, Aigel! Please check out her blog.

It's super fun to write these meme posts! So if ever you're thinking of tagging us, we would be honored. 

In case someone noticed, I (The Undomestic Fangirl) haven't been posting a lot of reviews/posts lately. That's because I've recently landed a job! I did not anticipate that it would throw my schedule out of the loop. I've been trying to manage my time these past few weeks and sadly, I'm still struggling. I'm also chasing a couple of review deadlines, so wish me luck that I will be able to juggle my work and blogging responsibilities. Luckily, I have my co-blogger (The Daydreamer Reader) to thank for looking out and keeping this blog updated. A huge shout-out to her!

Moving on, here's the Q&A for this tag. 

1. What is your most inexpensive book?

The Undomestic Fangirl: I honestly can't remember what's my cheapest book. After so many books, I can't keep track how I acquired it. BUT, if free books can be considered as inexpensive, then my very first one is Twilight. 

The Daydreamer Reader: It was a book given to me by my aunt so I got it for free but she bought it for 10php in Booksale. It's about Washington.


2. What author do you have a love/hate relationship with?

TUF: So far, I only encountered one author I have a love/hate relationship with. Which is Abbi Glines. I loved Existence Trilogy but I just can't stand Too Far Series.

TDR: I seriously don't know. I guess it'd be Colleen Hoover. I love all of her books except her latest one.
3. What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame?

TUF: Do I have to pick only one? Screw it, I'll pick multiple. First one is Twilight. And if you didn't judge me based on that then...

Second is the As The World Dies Trilogy. I'm obsessed with zombies and this one is a gold mine for me. I'm an emotional mess every single time I read this series.


TDR: I am proud to admit that I have read over and over again Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger. I just love Henry and Clare's story and I had so much #feels reading it. Aaand, every time I read it, the water works just won't freakin' stop. My pillow becomes my tissue.


4. Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness?

TUF: Urghhhhh. I'm not going to name them because I'll get in trouble. But i'm going to say that it's not just one book, it's a pile.

TDR: There's so many but it'd have to be Room by Emma Donoghue. I keep thinking that I'd read it after finishing lighter themes but I never got to read this book even til now.


5. What books do you most talk about in order to sound like an intellectual reader?

TUF: I don't really talk about books for "intellectual" purposes. I read because I love to. I talk about it because I loved it.

TDR: Hmm, It'd have to be Shakespeare's Sonnets. There's so much thinking involved in processing each sonnets and with the way Shakespeare writes, For me, it's like when people hear you interpret one, they'd go wow and think you're a genius.

6. What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character?

TUF: I don't have a particular attribute I'm attracted to, as long as he's respectful and loyal.

TDR: I absolutely love it when they (may it be male or female) can exist without being too clingy with the other, when they have sass and not over-the-top sappiness and have a good sense of humor. I also like it when the characters, though they may not yet have a clear direction in life, strive to find that direction and not simply drop everything just to form and mold their lives to their significant other (and they aren't even married yet!).

7. What book would you most like to receive as a gift?

TUF: TFIOS Collector's Edition.

Fangirl Collector's Edition.

Or Legend Trilogy Harbbound Box Set. 

If you give them to me...

TDR:
I would like to receive the following (should anyone want to give them to me as a gift. hehe)

All Rainbow Rowell books

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffeneger (since my copy was never returned:c )
All Bo Sanchez books

All Colleen Hoover books! (even Ugly Love. I want 'em all. gimmegimmegimme)

Thanks again for tagging us Aigel! 

I hope you enjoyed our post and please comment your thoughts below. 

We're tagging....


Book Blitz! The Undead: Playing for Keeps by Elsie Elmore!


Published by: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication date: September 3rd 2014
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult


Buy links: AMAZON |  B&N



When an undead woman with serious de-comp issues stalks sixteen-year-old Lyla Grimm, her hope of rescuing her rock-bottom reputation takes a back seat. Especially once Lyla’s new talent of resurrecting the dead draws the attention of Eric, a Grim Reaper with a guitar and a chip on his shoulder.

While Lyla navigates the gossip-ridden halls, Eric works to gain her trust and discover why Death’s clients aren’t staying down. If she passes on her gift, his death-messenger destiny might be altered. But the closer he gets to Lyla, the less sure he is of his plan. The dead are way easier to deal with than the living.

Gossip explodes, the Grimm family implodes, and desperation sets in. Death wants the gift and a soul. Lyla and Eric face hard choices with hidden consequences. Sometimes life’s choices aren’t really choices at all.


I'm honestly super excited about this novel! I've been a fan of YA and Paranormal since forever and I'm really hooked when I read the blurb about this book. I went through the rabbit hole when I also read the excerpts! So you guys have to watch out for this one and add it to your TBR pile!

“Of all the places,” I mutter. Cornfields and pastures fill the passenger side window in a tortuous repeat. Mile after mile of nothingness. And inactivity. And boredom. “I’m in a small hellhole located in the middle of can’t-find-it-on-a-fucking-map. This is just perfect.”

  I pull over and my headlights frame the tall green sign that proclaims the city limits for Martin. A thatch of dead grass surrounds the base of the pole.

  “Bet that resembles the residents of this fine town,” I shout. No one’s ever around to hear me or respond.

  I roll down the window and the scent of grass and dirt rolls in. There’s no exhaust, no cigarette smoke. The purity of the air confuses my lungs.

  Just hours ago, I was in the beautiful and busy paradise of Miami, Florida, where anger, envy, and sin pollute every taken breath and every exposed mind. It’s one of my favorite places. There’s enough activity there to keep someone busy every hour of the day, which is why I want to return. Idle time has painful effects.

  Only one car passes while I’m parked on the shoulder, contemplating my purgatory that now goes by the name of Martin.

  The passenger handle clicks and the door opens. Deon lowers his head and peers in. “Heard you were coming.” He smiles and the dashboard lights give his teeth a red glow. “Welcome to Martin.”

  I shrug. “Yeah. I’m here.”

  “So why you?” he asks, his smile not fading.

  “Beats the hell out of me.” Exhaust mixes with the night air and enters through the open car door. I take a deep breath.

  “No, seriously, this is my territory. Why you?”

  I survey my new terrain. Moonlight reveals more nothingness. “I’m not fighting you for it. I was sent. I didn’t have a choice.”

  “No one really has a choice.” He slips his frail frame into the passenger seat and closes the door.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Going for a ride.” He taps the dash twice. “I’ll show you around.”

  Understanding the territory will help. I pull back onto the road and my headlights only compete with the moon’s glow until we get closer to civilization. If you can call this actual civilization.

  “You’re here as a punishment, aren’t you?”

  “Judging by the look of this place, I’d say yeah.”

  Deon laughs and adjusts the navy ball cap he wears low on his head. “Everyone knows about you.”

  “Really?” I want to take back the word, or rather, my tone. It sounded as if I was interested.

  “You’re too messy and over-the-top. You attract attention. And you’re undisciplined.”


  I huff. “You finished?

Elsie Elmore lives in North Carolina with her husband and two kids. She loves the color red, has an appreciation for chocolate and coffee that borders on obsession, writes stories that challenge the laws of nature, and wishes fall temperatures would linger year round. 
Elsie is a member of several writing organizations: RWA, SCBWI, and WSW. The Undead : Playing for Keeps is her debut novel. 


Book Review: Midnight Runes by Celeste Buie!

Title: Midnight Runes 
Series: (The Bestowed Ones #1)
Author: Celeste Buie
Published: May 21st 2014
Genre: YA, Paranormal Romance

AMAZON
Brynn Emerson has always been in control of her life — until a mysterious stranger invades her dreams and her boyfriend, Trevor, suddenly dumps her. Life gets more complicated when secretive newcomer Landon shows up at school. The playful and handsome Landon is somehow connected to Brynn’s ex-boyfriend. Determined to find out how they know each other, Brynn draws closer to Landon… only to realize too late that she's risking more than she thought possible. 

Meanwhile, a person of power has his sights on Brynn. Will Trevor and Landon work together to keep her safe? Or will she be pulled against her will into their mysterious world?


“Make him work to keep your affection. He’s worth it.”
“Which guy?” I asked, but she smiled and shook her head.
It was interesting that the main character or MC had a boyfriend at the beginning of the novel. Most of the books I’ve read had a boyfriend or will have a boyfriend. I liked that this was an exception. 

I expected this to be action packed or at least fast paced but the storyline dragged on. Half-way through and I’m still waiting for something to happen. Brynn’s group everything a 4th year student could do but still no sign of the Paranormal aspect of the plot. 

Another thing is that Brynn accepted the magical/paranormal things right away. The dreams, the fortune teller, the runes and everything associated with it. It’s like she was expecting it. I would’ve guessed a demon at first but she predicted it right in one go when they confirmed it’s not a ghost. I didn’t like how the story unfolds itself. Unwrapping bit by bit was nice because it keeps the mystery – don’t take too long though - but how Brynn responds and learns things was a bit disappointing. 

What I liked is the humor in between lite and serious situations. It made me smile and giggle every now and then. And of course, two male hotties desperate for Brynn's attention didn't hurt. I was torn between Trevor and Landon because both are frustrating and yet, charming.

Hi! I live in Michigan with my husband, our two sons, daughter-on-the-way, and huge adopted dog. We’ve lived in three cities within this beautiful state and have visited many of the places mentioned in the Bestowed Ones series. One of the most adventurous things I’ve done is horseback ride across the state on the Lake to Lake trail. I love traveling, giving back to the community, and taking on creative projects.  

For exclusive content, announcements, and more, please visit her website and sign up for her newsletter, as well as “like” her Facebook page.




Book Review: Doppelganger by Milda Harris

Doppelganger (Doppelganger #1)
Milda Harris
YA, Romance, Supernatural
See on: Goodreads

Buy from: Amazon
Citrus Leahy is having a really bad day. First she's late to school. Then she runs into the girl who drives her nuts because she always calls her Orange instead of her name. To cap it all off, when Citrus finally makes it to class, she sees herself already inside. Wait. What? Citrus Leahy has a doppelganger! It's probably aliens taking over the world and her life has just turned totally upside down. Goodbye, normal. Hello, paranormal! Luckily, her crush Aedan has the exact same problem!
I have always wondered what it's like to have a twin; someone you look so much alike to that you'd confuse other people. Yet, there are certain characteristics that would enable people to differentiate the two of you.
Now, imagine how it would be when a person tries to walk, talk and mingle like you and more importantly, it actually looks like you: a doppelganger. But this time, it's badder and is about to kick your butt.

Doppelganger, from the get-go, has already piqued my interest as the ordinary life of Citrus Leahy takes a sudden turn when her doppelganger decided to go to school that one day and poof, she's taking over her life!! Fortunately (or should it be unfortunately?) Citrus finds Aedan having the same problem. To top it off, Aedan's the guy of her dreams.

I like how the story flows as they try to uncover how they came to have doppelgangers. Theories were formulated here and there and they try to discover the most probable one. There are indeed some slow parts in the book but the ending makes it completely worth it. The twists that Miss. Harris reveal throughout the book makes me giddy to get a copy of the second book and fast.

Doppelganger is one of those enjoyable reads that would keep you on the look-out for your own doppelganger. 



 
MILDA HARRIS has a dog named after a piece of candy (Licorice), was once hit by a tree (seriously), and wears hot pink sunglasses (why not?). She is the young adult author of Doppelganger, Adventures in Funeral Crashing, Adventures of a Graveyard Girl, The New Girl Who Found A Dead Body, and Connected: A Paranormal Romance. She also works in production on television shows like Austin & Ally, Hannah Montana, and That's So Raven.




Author links: 

Book Tour: Captivate Me and Iris



Captivate Me (Captivated #1)
S.J. Pierce
YA, Romance, Fantasy/Paranormal
See on: Goodreads

Buy from:
Captivate Me is Book One of The Captivated Series, a Young Adult Paranormal Romance

"My mom had always told me - when you meet "the one", you'll know; they'll captivate your heart the moment you lay eyes on them. I had always wondered, though, if my mom's words of wisdom were finite - if they applied to everyone. Maybe those who had found their one great love were the lucky few, and maybe the rest of us would have to settle for less than earth-shattering."

Seventeen-year-old Kat Walsh is a Gifted - a human with paranormal abilities. With her mom a former Angel and her dad a dream prophet, it's always been in her genetic make-up to be extraordinary. Unfortunately for her, the world can't handle the strange or unusual. So when she slips up and uses her powers at her high school in Ireland, the entire student body treats her like a freak - even the ones she thought were her closest friends.

Broken, but hopeful for a fresh start, she allows her parents to enroll her in a boarding school buried deep within the forests of a small Colorado town. At Midland Pines, School for the Gifted, she feels as though she can finally be herself; she makes new friends and even has the attention of the most popular guy in school - Levi. Everything feels normal again... or does it?

Not long after her arrival, weird dreams of an alluring boy whom she's never met surface during the night, and the eerie, shadowy trees encircling their school seem to call to her. As these disturbing, yet enticing developments intensify, other bizarre occurrences happen - students and staff turn up missing, and mystery visitors leave gifts while she sleeps. With all of these other things vying for her attention, a desperate Levi has to fight even harder to keep her interest. But with the dreams of the attractive boy slowly captivating her heart, Kat has to make a choice - will she settle for 'great' Levi, or will she search for her elusive dream visitor, possibly stumbling across 'amazing?'

From the author of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles, comes a refreshingly different Young Adult series with plenty of love, suspense, and a new take on the Paranormal.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.


 Iris (Captivated #1.5)
S.J. Pierce
YA, Romance, Fantasy/Paranormal
eARC from: Xpresso Book Tours
See on: Goodreads

Buy from:
Amazon 

"Iris" is set to be published September 1st 2014

***This book is meant to be read after Captivate Me***

Set before the events in Book One of the Captivated Series, "Iris" explores the depths of family bonds, new bonds, and the lengths a person would go to save the life of a dying sibling. In this novella, get to know Iris and her two sisters more intimately, as well as Gabriel, the first angel-human hybrid who agrees to live under her protection.

Recommended for readers 16 and up due to mature content.


NB:This review will encompass both books. 
 

Actual rating is 3.5
 
I like the idea of angels, schools for people with paranormal abilities, missing children and a little bit of love added to the entire mix.

Captivate Me  has it all, except it focused too much on the love part.

Their school reminds me so much of Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters and I sincerely was expecting them to see practicing to control their powers.

What I got to see, however, is the protagonist making friends, typical of a student entering a new school year.
Also, the book focused on whether or not the female protagonist would answer her best friend, or follow that call from the woods.

Yes, it's a love triangle right there. And guess who actually got Kat?

As for Iris, I like how it gives perspective on Iris, the kickass witch in Captivate Me. It just goes to show how impressions are not always correct and that there is more to a character than what she first appears to be.

Overall, albeit a tad too cheesy, Captivate Me is a good prelude to the oncoming books from the lovely author. And yet,I wish to see a novella for the story behind Kat's parents because it looks like a story worth telling :)
Susan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy, Paranormal and Sci-fi novels.

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Book Launch: In Her Wake by K.A. Tucker!

IHW RDL Banner
 

We are stoked to bring you all the Release Day Launch for K.A. Tucker's IN HER WAKE! IN HER WAKE is a new adult contemporary romance and a prequel novella in the Ten Tiny Breaths Series, published by Atria Press (an imprint of Simon & Schuster).

In Her Wake

Amazon | B&N | iBookstore | BAM | Bookish | Other

That’s how I spot her.
There’s no doubt that it’s her; I’ve memorized her face.
Leaning against a wall on the opposite side, her lips wrapped around a clear bottle filled with clear liquor, her fiery red hair a wild mane against the stark white wall, a tight black T-shirt showing off toned arms. She’s in no rush to part with that bottle, guzzling back a good portion before she hands it off to someone, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Her eyes at half-mast.
She’s wasted.
My heart starts racing. What the hell is Kacey Cleary doing here? By my calculation, she’s probably finishing her last year of high school, having lost at least half a year while recovering.
I tug my cap down even farther, though I doubt she can see two feet in front of her.
Shit. What if she does recognize me? How would she react? Does she know my real name? What I look like? I can’t say for sure that my face wasn’t printed in a newspaper somewhere. She could have Googled my name and found a dozen game shots with me in them. I have my helmet on in most of them, but you can find a profile picture of me easily enough if you’re looking.
I don’t know that she was, though. I wonder if Kacey Cleary gives a fuck about anything anymore. Her Facebook account is inactive. She hasn’t posted a single word and the well-wishes have dwindled, as everyone moves on.
I do know that she shouldn’t be at a party in this state. I’ve heard of bad things happening when girls get that drunk. Especially when they don’t care.
But what do I do?
A blonde stumbles into my chest with two beers in hand. “Hey, do you go here? What’s your name?” She’s tipping her head back way farther than necessary to look up at me, telling me she’s trying to flirt but is too drunk to do it right.
I smile down at her anyway. She’s a good cover. I can stand right here and watch Kacey. “I’m Trent, and I used to go here.”
“Really? When’d you graduate?”
From the corner of my eye, I see Kacey shift from the wall and begin climbing the stairs, her arm hooked around the railing to help her. Two guys following her.

  IHW Promo banner
Cole Reynolds had it all. And then one night he makes a bad choice... and loses everything.
When a drunken night out at a Michigan State college party results in the death of six people, Cole must come to terms with his part in the tragedy. Normally, he'd be able to lean on his best friends. The best friends that have been in his life since he could barely walk. Only, they're gone. Worse, there's the shattered body of a sixteen-year-old girl lying somewhere in a hospital bed, her entire life ripped from her because of a case of beer and a set of keys.

Everyone assures him that they know it wasn't intentional and yet he can't ignore the weight of their gazes, the whispers behind his back. The all-consuming guilt he feels every time he thinks of that girl who won't so much as allow him near her hospital room to apologize. As the months go by and the shame and loneliness festers, Cole begins to lose his grip of what once was important-college, his girlfriend, his future. His life. It's not until Cole hits rock-bottom that he can begin to see another way out of his personal hell: forgiveness.

And there's only one person who can give that to him...

TenTinyBreathsSeries 

And don’t miss the previous titles in the Ten Tiny Breaths Series!

 


Author PhotoBorn in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.    

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