Impatiently Waiting (2015 Releases that I NEED!)

I did a post like this last year at the beginning of the new year and really enjoyed creating it!  Although I didn't quite manage to read all of the books that I had listed, I do hope to get to the rest of them in this new year.  Along with all of these as well of course :)  I keep saying this but there is something so exciting about a new year and all of the possibilities especially in regards to all of those shiny new books that will be published.  Makes me feel very grabby- I want! I want!  Just kidding....kind of....well, maybe not.  While I wait not so patiently for all of these pretty books here are just a few of the ones that I want the most:

Little Black Lies by Sharon Bolton - Woot!  Woot!  Newest book by one of my favorite authors.  I CANNOT wait! 

Behind Closed Doors by Elizabeth Haynes - I have loved both of the books that I have read by this author so it is a given that I want this one.  It's a sequel to Under a Silent Moon which is even better! 

The Diamond Conspiracy by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris - Squee!  OH MY GOODESS, I want this book so badly!!!  I'm thinking about rereading the first three books before this one releases just because I love the series so much.  It is pretty likely that will be exactly what I do!

Second Life by S.J. Watson - I adored this author's first book (Before I Go to Sleep) so I instantly added this book to my TBR list as soon as I heard about it.  I definitely am looking forward to this one!

The Veil by Chloe Neill - New urban fantasy series?  Count me in!  It also helps that this is an author that I've been wanting to try for some time!

The Diabolical Miss Hyde by Viola Carr - I want to read this one based off of the cover alone!  Seriously, I cannot wait to get my hands on this one.  Yay for new steampunk!

Cold Burn of Magic by Jennifer Estep - I love the sound of this new series!  I can't wait to get my hands on it and give it a try!

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan - This sounds like a must read which is why I can't help but want to read it!  This is another author that I have wanted to try for some time now. 

The Shadow Revolution by Clay and Susan Griffith - Another new series to begin and with a cover like that I just can't resist!

Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver - I swear I want to read all of this author's books yet I haven't read one.  2015 will be the year that I change this!!!

There are so many other books that I could have put on this list....I actually just had to force myself to stop looking.  Ha!  I am super pumped for all of these books and so many more!!  Books not listed here due to lack of cover yet include the next book in the Ilona Andrew's Hidden Legacy series, The Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon, Rewind by Mira Grant (although this says 2016- say it isn't so!), and so many more.

What books are you looking forward to in this new year?  Any new releases that you cannot wait to get your hands on?? 

Reading Events (Or Winter Reading Fun)

In the spirit of signing up for just about every reading challenge out there, I also found a couple of reading events that I couldn't resist.  I'm sure this doesn't surprise most of you.  What's one more right?  I'm going to use both of these to really get my reading off to a great start in 2015.  That's the plan at least!

The Winter COYER challenge is here (and actually has already started) but since it is three months long I'm joining in.  I have plenty of books stocked up on ipad and now kindle to keep me plenty busy.  Plus this will also help me knock out some of those NetGalley copies that keep piling up.  My favorite part is coming up with a list of possibilities for this so here are just a few of the books that I want to finish for this challenge.

 

 

 

If I manage to finish more that would be amazing but I'm hoping to read at least eight books from my e-reader for this challenge.  I will keep you updated on my progress as I go along. There are read-a-thons and lots of other fun stuff planned so if you want to sign up go here.

Bout of Books is back!  My first read-a-thon of the new year and I'm super pumped for it.  I always look forward to these read-a-thons as they are fun AND such a great way to start off the new year.  Here is the official blurb from the Bout of Books blog:

"The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 5th and runs through Sunday, January 11th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 12 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team"

My goals for this read-a-thon are going to be very simple.  Read and comment.  That's it!  I'm not setting an amount of books or anything.  I just want to focus this week on reading and commenting on other reader's blogs.  It will be great and hopefully lots of fun!  I'm planning on reading this book and after that I will follow my mood:

I am really looking forward to finishing some great books and meeting some new bloggy friends thanks to these two events.  Are any of you participating in one/both of these?  Or do you have other big reading plans in the works?  Do share!

2015 Reading Challenges (I'm back!)

Feel free to completely disregard this post if you aren't interested in hearing about the numerous reading challenges that I feel compelled to participate in for 2015.  I took a few years off from reading challenges (with the exception of Carl's R.I.P challenge which is simply a must) but I am looking forward to getting back to them in the new year.  It is fun to push myself when it comes to reading even if I usually fail spectacularly when it is all said and done.  The point of participating for me is the community factor, trying new books that maybe I wouldn't have picked up, and just having fun.  Of course in typical Sam fashion, I've decided to sign up for ALL of the challenges that sound good (this is also because I have no self control in regards to books).  Here is my official sign-up announcement for the following challenges:

Requirement is to read a minimum of 12 library books.  As I use my library on a constant basis, this should be quite easy (and possibly my only challenge that I am successful at).  Sign up here if you want to participate as well.

Requirement is to read historical romance which is a genre that I didn't read enough of in 2014.  I'm signing up for the level 1 which is six books.  Considering how many I have on my shelves, this should be easy to complete.  Sign up here if you are interested.

Here is where the pushing myself as a reader comes in.  In 2014, I read NO nonfiction books which is horrible as I have a bunch gracing my shelves AND even more on my TBR list.  I'm hoping this challenge will give me the push to finally read some of those books.  I'm signing up for Dilettante level which is one to five nonfiction reads.  Sign up here if interested.

This is a themed TBR challenge where each month you pull a book off of your TBR shelves that fits in with the month's theme and then we discuss on the 3rd Wednesday of that month.  This sounds like a very interesting way to get some books off of my own shelves.  Sign up is here.

Another challenge that is going to push me but in a good way.  I've already put a few graphic novels on hold at the library in preparation for this challenge.  I'm signing up for the Modern Age level which is 12 graphic novels.  Sign up is here. 

I love, love, love to reread so I just couldn't resist signing up for this challenge.  No amount of books required which is perfect!  I'm sure that I will reread plenty.  Sign up here.

I NEED this challenge.  And I do mean NEED it!  I have no self control when it comes to these sites and I would love to catch up and get these books read.  I'm signing up for the bronze level which is only 10 books (I really should try and do more).  Sign up here.

This is a challenge for all of those series books that I am addicted to.  You get points for the amount of books in a series that you finish.  I'm signing up for the Newbie level which is 10-25 points.  Sign up here.

I've participated in this challenge before and it is always fun.  Plus, I love finding new authors to read and adore.  I'm signing up for 15 new to me authors.  Sign up here.

A genre that I always enjoy but don't read enough of.  I'm hoping to use this challenge to find new authors and books :)  I'm signing up for Civilian level which is 1-5 books.  Sign up here.

I love a good mystery so I couldn't resist this challenge.  And as I adore Amelia Peabody I am signing up for that level which is 10 books.  Sign up here.

I have so many cozy series that I want to try that I just have to sign up for this challenge too!  I'm signing up for the Snoop level which is 6 books.  Sign up here.

In the new year I WILL be working out more on a regular basis.  I love the idea of weekly check-ins and participating in this challenge with other readers while getting healthy.  Sign up here.

The goal is to read 12 books off of your TBR shelves that have been on there at least one year.  Sign up here.  Here is my list of books for the challenge along with two alternates:

• The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry
• Promise Not to Tell by Jennifer McMahon
• Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep
• Firelight by Kristen Callihan
• Black Wings by Christina Henry
• The Cutting Season by Attica Locke
• The Becoming by Jeanne Stein
• Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield
• Don of the Dead by Casey Daniels
• Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
• Crooked House by Agatha Christie
• The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

and two alternates are Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle and Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden.

Whew!  I'm tired just from thinking about all of this.  But it sure is going to be fun!  Do you participate in reading challenges?  If so, are there any that I missed that you think I should know about?  Let's hope 2015 is an amazing year of reading!!

Top Ten Reads of 2014

I've been immersed in reading everyone's best of lists and all of a sudden realized that I hadn't written my own.  It is so easy to get distracted and I've been adding books to my TBR list like crazy!  I adore this time of the year.  Fresh starts, new possibilities.....but I still love looking over my reading for the year and figuring out which books were the best.  I had a really good reading year in 2014 even though I didn't quite make my Goodread's goal.  I am ending the year having read 73 books which I'm pretty proud of!  Life gets busier and busier as the kids grow but I still am finding plenty of time to read (while enjoying tons of time with the family too!).  Without further ado though, here are the best of the best (or my favorite reads of 2014):

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon cemented my love for this author's books!  Last year one of her books made my top reads list and this year one did as well.  This book was the perfect read on a cold winter's evening and left me chilled to the bone at certain points.  I will be reading anything this author writes and plan on getting my hands on all of her books.  It is that simple. 

Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters begins one of my favorite mystery series.  It wouldn't be fair to list all three of the books on my list for this year but really I could have included any/all of them.  I adore the characters in these books, find myself laughing out loud in various spots, and just can not get enough of this series.  I feel like more readers should be reading and loving these books just like I am.  Ha!

Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton was one of those books that I instantly knew would make my top reads list as soon as I finished the last page.  Haunting and filled with suspense, I couldn't put this book down and loved every thrilling moment.  Bolton's another of my favorite authors, and as I work my way through all of her books I've yet to be disappointed.  My favorite thriller of the year hands down!

Dawn's Early Light by Pip Ballantine & Tee Morris was such a pleasure to read and is a part of the best steampunk series out there!  I love this series and the characters, and each book is a joy to read as we watch our dynamic duo on their crazy adventures.  The taste of romance that we got in this book just makes this series even better in my opinion!  I love this series and am impatiently waiting for the next book to release!

Burn For Me by Ilona Andrews was the best romance I read this year by far (although to be honest it felt more like urban fantasy to me but...)!  2014 has been the year of me reading Andrew's books but when all was said and done this was my favorite!  This book felt fresh and original with characters that I instantly found myself attached to.  I will be doing the waiting thing yet again as I pine for the next book in this series in 2015. 

The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith was one of those books that I just immediately found myself immersed in.  I was super nervous to read this one as how could it ever live up to the love for the Harry Potter books that I have?!? This book took my expectations and shattered them giving me a mystery and characters that I couldn't get enough of.  I will be reading the next book in this series in 2015!

Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells begins a new urban fantasy series by one of my favorite authors.  Are you noticing a trend yet?  This gritty, dark world that Wells has created was highly addictive.  I never know what to expect with this author's books other than I am in for a wild ride!  And this WAS one wild ride!  This book was just as good as I hoped it would be if not better.  I'm so excited that I have the second book to look forward to in 2015 with no wait!

Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart was such a delight to read!  Filled with gothic undertones, I spent my time reading this book wondering what was going to happen next.  I loved the entire reading experience!  I have a special spot in my heart for books just like this: talk about an old house filled with secrets, characters that always seem to be hiding something, and a bit of romance and I'm there.  Yet another author whose backlist of books I plan on reading in its entirety!

A Share in Death by Deborah Crombie was another mystery series that I found this year and just could not get enough of.  With two characters that I instantly adored and whodunnits that were throwbacks to Agatha Christie, I instantly fell in love with this series and this book!  I keep saying this but I've found yet another author to read all of her books.

The Waking Dark by Robin Wasserman was by far the creepiest book that I read in 2014.  Both dark and disturbing at times, this was one of those books that I just could not set down.  It left me thinking about it long after we finished.  I finished this one early in 2014 but it still gives me the shivers when I think about it.

Honorable mentions this year include the following:

• Hysteria by Megan Miranda
• The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
• Mira Grant's Newsflesh trilogy (again)
• Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke

And so many more when I start to think about it!  I had a wonderful year of reading in 2014 and am looking forward to all of the new possibilities in 2015! I hope that all of you have had a great end of the year and are as excited as I am about this new year!  Thank you for taking the time to visit and comment on my little blog! 

Happy Reading!

Bookish Haul (Book Gluttony Edition)

I have been pretty good recently when it comes to not buying books so it should come as no surprise to anyone that I couldn't last very much longer without a visit to the used bookstore.  I had a bag of books ready to turn in for credit so at least I probably took back as many books as I brought home.  That's a positive in my opinion!  And thanks to a very thoughtful gift from my husband I even had a bookish Christmas.  I'm so excited about all of this bookish goodness that I couldn't resist sharing with all of you.  Here are the books that I took home with me thanks to my most recent trip to the used bookstore:

• A Bone to Pick by Charlaine Harris - 2nd in the Aurora Teagarden mystery series.  I really enjoyed the first book in this series.  
• Blood Vines by Erica Spindler - I used to read this author's books all the time and when I saw this (newer?) one I couldn't resist!
• The Man With a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes - 1st book in a mystery series that I have been wanting to try.
• Mark of the Witch by Maggie Shayne - 1st in a paranormal romance trilogy that I really am looking forward to reading as well.
• The Witness by Nora Roberts - I saw a bunch of good reviews for this one awhile back so it just had to come home with me.
• I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton - I'm working on catching up with this series since it is one of my favorites.  I buy the next book in the series every time I visit the used bookstore.
• Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur - I just finished rereading the first book in this series so it was like serendipity when I found the second book waiting on the shelves.  I was so excited!
• Underground by Kat Richardson - I'm a bit annoyed with this purchase as I thought it was the 2nd book in the series and it is the third.  Oh well.  But I would really, really like to know why publishers of series books don't make it easier to determine the series order.  Most frustrating thing ever!!!
• The Minotaur by Barbara Vine - Probably the book I am most excited about and I was almost jumping up and down when I found it.  This one sounds oh so good and I just cannot wait!
• Greywalker by Kat Richardson - 1st in this urban fantasy mystery series.  I read this one a few years back (I think) and really want to continue on with the series.  
• Lion in the Valley by Elizabeth Peters - The next book in this amazingly good series that I cannot get enough of.  Another series though where it is SUPER hard to figure out the series order.    

• Fiercombe Manor by Kate Riordan is latest review copy to grace my doorstep.  It sounds like my kind of book!

And lastly, my husband bought me the BEST Christmas gift ever with my own kindle paperwhite (along with the cute owl cover)!  It was totally unexpected and I am just in love with it already!  As you can see, I'm already working on adding books to it, and I finished my first book on it already too! 

I had a wonderful Christmas filled with family and friends.  I couldn't ask for more!  It has been a bit quiet here because of it but I wouldn't change a thing.  I hope that all of you have a had a wonderful holiday as well!  Now, I'm off to prepare for the upcoming new year with a list of my favorite books from this year, some new goals to work towards, and maybe a few reading challenges.   All of these posts aren't going to write themselves :)

Something About You by Julie James (thoughts)

Romantic suspense is a genre that I'm always wanting to read more of and books like this are really why.  From a sizzling chemistry between two characters that can't stand each other at the beginning of the book to an intensely fast-paced mystery, I found myself hard-pressed to put this book down.

In this book, Cameron Lynde inadvertently becomes a witness to a murderer when a young woman is killed in the hotel room next to hers.  Forced to work with FBI agent Jack Pallas, she soon finds herself in danger from this elusive killer.  The two of them have a shared history of working together though and their past isn't a good one.  Can Cameron remember enough details from that evening to help identify the killer before he finds her?

Let me tell you from the beginning that I am a sucker romances where the main characters start off either disliking or hating each other.  It gets me every single time!  This book had me from the very beginning then as Cameron and Jack have no good feeling towards one another and are very antagonistic towards working together.   This slow building romance was exactly what I was looking for as they were forced to put aside their mutual feelings of dislike in the pursuit of finding the killer.  It was fun watching them work through their misunderstandings and especially fun to watch them try to fight the attraction/chemistry that they were feeling.  It always makes it that much better when they finally come together and quit fighting their feelings.  It was definitely worth the wait and left me eager to see them find their happy every after.

The mystery/suspense portion of this book was well done as I had a very hard time putting this book down.  The author did a very nice job of keeping me on my toes just waiting to see what was going to happen next. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author's books and am even more excited to see that this is the first book in a series.  Woohoo!  The ending wrapped up everything very nicely and kept me on my toes until the very last page.  I stayed up past my bedtime finishing this one which is never a bad thing (until the next morning that is).

Overall, this was one of those books that just clicked for me in all of the right ways.  I loved the chemistry between the two main characters, was intrigued by the storyline, and didn't want to the book to end.  This is definitely one of the best romantic suspense reads that I've come across in awhile.  Luckily enough I have many more of this author's books to look forward to, and I will definitely be continuing on with this series.  Highly recommended but especially to romance fans!

Bottom Line:  A book that hit all the right spots for me and a romance that I found myself caught up in.

Disclosure:  I checked a copy of this book out from my local library.  Thoughts are my own!

The Kill List by Nichole Christoff (thoughts)

The Kill List was a solid debut to this new mystery series and was quite the page turner for me.  I easily found myself engrossed within its' pages and this didn't let up until the very end.  I'm left eager to continue on with this series and read more by this author!

In this book Jamie Sinclair is asked to investigate when her ex-husband's daughter is kidnapped.  Despite all of the hard feelings between the two of them, Jamie drops everything to rush to the army base where he and his new family live in search of his three year old daughter.  Almost instantly Jamie begins to realize that her ex-husband is hiding something and the questions don't stop there.  Soon Jamie finds herself in deathly danger and is unsure who she can trust.  Will she be able to find the missing girl before time runs out?

I really enjoyed this book from the very beginning.  The author starts this book out with a really intense scene from a case that Jamie is finishing up and it really just takes off from there.  This book was filled with suspense along with twists and turns.  It was easy to see that there was something off when it came to the little girl's kidnapping but as the reader you don't know what exactly.  I was left questioning everything and everyone trying to figure out for myself what could have happened to that little girl.  I didn't care for Jamie's ex-husband Tim Thorp at all thanks to all of the secrets that he seems to be hiding.  He comes across as quite the jerk but it was the fact that Jamie could never get him to tell the truth despite the missing girl that sealed my dislike for him.  These secrets and evasions did add to the atmosphere of the story though and filled the pages with suspense.

One of my favorite parts of this book besides the mystery itself was the relationship that began to develop between Jamie and the military commander Barrett.  These two worked really well together and I found it refreshing how trust came slowly between them.  I am looking forward to reading future books and hopefully seeing their relationship develop even more!  Another thing that really worked well for me in this book was the way the author incorporated the military into the storyline.  I learned a bunch of different things in regards to everyday military life that I had never known while reading this book.  The author's obvious love and respect for the armed forces was very evident within the pages of this novel.  I really enjoyed all of these different aspects and felt that it added to the storyline.  The mystery was also very well done with multiple angles all coming together at the end.  I had guessed only one portion of it but even then the ending was able to give me a few more surprises! 

Overall, I am sure that you can tell how much I enjoyed this book.  The mystery was both fast-paced and intense which is definitely the mark of a good book.  I'm hoping to see the romance developed more in future books and am eager to read more in this series.  All very good things!  I can easily recommend this book to other mystery fans!  Recommended!

Bottom Line:  An intense read that had me flying through the pages!

Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher as part of a TLC book tour.  Thoughts are my own!

December Reading Plans (2014)

 

It is the end of the year so I have come up with a massive reading pile for the month of December.  And looking at the picture just made me realize that I'm missing a few books.  Oh dear.  I have eleven books left to hit my Goodread's goal so it is doubtful that I will make it but the fun is in the trying.  I basically want to read ALL of the books yet again.  As this is a very busy time of the year, I'm just hoping to find some reading time to enjoy a few of these.  Here are the books on my reading pile for December:

• 'Twas The Night After Christmas by Sabrina Jeffries - My current read and also one that I've been holding for this time of year.  I was in the mood for a holiday read and this is the perfect fit!  
• This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers - I realized that the sequel to this book is coming out soon and decided to grab this one from the library.  I REALLY want to read it before the end of the year!
• The Janus Stone by Elly Griffiths - 2014 has been a year filled with good mysteries which is how I found this series.  I'm eager to continue on which is why I couldn't resist bringing this book home with me.
• Midnight Crossroads by Charlaine Harris - I was scanning my library shelves for books that I wanted to read before year end and thought of this one.  Not sure why if I'm being honest as there are other books that I want to read more...but I'm still very excited to read it!
• Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy - I have been meaning to read this book for ages now.  Seriously, it is getting a bit ridiculous how many times I have let it go back to the library unread.  This month I will read this book!
• Web of Lies by Jennifer Estep - I'm working on catching up on this series and this is the second book.  I just finished rereading Spider's Bite which was just as good as I remembered so I'm looking forward to this one.  And it is off of my own shelves which is a bonus!
• Murder at the Book Group by Maggie King - This is a review copy and a cozy mystery.  Win!  I will be starting this one very soon as I'm in the mood for a good cozy. 
• When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak - Another holiday read but I'm waiting until we get some more snow before I start it.  I went searching for holiday reads a couple of weeks ago and really liked the sound of this one.  
• Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett -   I really, really want to read this book and begin this series.  I just adore the covers and the books sound so good!  I literally snatched this one off of my library shelves when I saw it sitting there.  
• Fear the Darkness by Becky Masterman - Review copy and thriller.  Something about this time of year makes me crave a good thriller and this sounds like it will fill my craving. 
• A Dark and Twisted Tide by Sharon Bolton - I couldn't end the year without reading this one as this series is a personal favorite!  I have been waiting a very long time for this book and am hoping to end 2014 on a high note with this one.

Let's just add to the craziness here and mention the books that I am missing from this picture.  I need to put books two and three from the Harry Potter series on this pile.  My current read of It by Stephen King should also be included.   And as usual these are only the physical books that I am planning on reading.  I'm currently reading Ammie, Come Home by Barbara Michaels on my ipad that also should be included in this reading pile.  And what about all of those other books that Goodreads says I am reading that I STILL haven't finished yet.

May the reading fun begin!  What books are you hoping to read before the end of the year?