The Queen's Rising - Book Review *Top Pearl 2018*

The Queen's Rising (The Queen’s Rising #1)
by Rebecca Ross

What is it about:
When her seventeenth summer solstice arrives, Brienna desires only two things: to master her passion and to be chosen by a patron.

Growing up in the southern Kingdom of Valenia at the renowned Magnalia House should have prepared her for such a life. While some are born with an innate talent for one of the five passions—art, music, dramatics, wit, and knowledge—Brienna struggled to find hers until she belatedly chose to study knowledge. However, despite all her preparations, Brienna’s greatest fear comes true—the solstice does not go according to plan and she is left without a patron.

Months later, her life takes an unexpected turn when a disgraced lord offers her patronage. Suspicious of his intent, and with no other choices, she accepts. But there is much more to his story, and Brienna soon discovers that he has sought her out for his own vengeful gain. For there is a dangerous plot being planned to overthrow the king of Maevana—the archrival kingdom of Valenia—and restore the rightful queen, and her magic, to the northern throne. And others are involved—some closer to Brienna than she realizes.

With war brewing between the two lands, Brienna must choose whose side she will remain loyal to—passion or blood. Because a queen is destined to rise and lead the battle to reclaim the crown. The ultimate decision Brienna must determine is: Who will be that queen?

What did I think of it:
This is a beautiful read.

Brienna starts studying at Magnalia House when she is ten. She knows she is a bit of a charity case, which makes her want to succeed all the more when she finally decides on the passion she wants to master: knowledge. Little does she know what fate has in store for her.

I loved the idea of the passions: one subject that is studied until mastered. Once this is done a student is sought after by patrons. If there's one thing I could say against this book, is that I wished the part about Brienna's studies had been longer. I'd have easily read a book just about Magnalia House alone.

Luckily the intrigues Brienna gets involved in after she leaves Magnalia House are just as fascinating as her studies. I had to keep reading to find out what she got herself into and if she would get out unscathed. I worried at times she might have allied herself with people who didn't deserve her trust.

Next to a very suspenseful main storyline full of secrets, danger, and possible betrayal there is a very subdued, but beautiful romance storyline, but it's Brienna's search for truth and a place to belong that takes the stage in this beautifully written Fantasy.

The ending is satisfying and makes this book perfectly readable as a standalone. Knowing there will be more books in this series however, makes that I'll eagerly await the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a beautiful Fantasy read.


Buy from bookdepository

Grace and Fury - Book Review *Top Pearl 2018*

Grace and Fury (Grace and Fury #1)
by Tracy Banghart

What is it about:
In a world where women have no rights, sisters Serina and Nomi Tessaro face two very different fates: one in the palace, the other in prison.

Serina has been groomed her whole life to become a Grace - someone to stand by the heir to the throne as a shining, subjugated example of the perfect woman. But when her headstrong and rebellious younger sister, Nomi, catches the heir's eye, it's Serina who takes the fall for the dangerous secret that Nomi has been hiding.

Now trapped in a life she never wanted, Nomi has only one way to save Serina: surrender to her role as a Grace until she can use her position to release her sister. This is easier said than done. A traitor walks the halls of the palace, and deception lurks in every corner. But Serina is running out of time, imprisoned on an island where she must fight to the death to survive and one wrong move could cost her everything.

What did I think of it:
This book was even better than I hoped it would be.

I liked that there wasn't a twisted relationship between Serina and Nomi where the oldest seems to think she can decide what is best for the younger. Instead they were evenly matched. Both thought the other was not doing things as they should, but apart from some griping they weren't too much into each other's face. I liked both of them from the start and was invested in both their stories.

Once the two are separated both have their own problems. Serina has to literally fight for her life, while Nomi must take care to not make a wrong step in the political dance she gets involved in. Both are out of their normal element and must adapt to survive. I loved reading how they cope.

I will confess that at a certain point in Nomi's story I had an idea of what I wanted to happen and of what I thought would happen based on my experience with other YA books. For once I was pleasantly surprised though, and the conclusion of this book was everything I could have hoped for. You bet I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.

Why should you read it:
It's a wonderful and suspenseful YA Fantasy.


Buy from bookdepository

The Arrows of the Heart - Book Review *Top Pearl 2018*

The Arrows of the Heart (The Uncharted Realms #4)
by Jeffe Kennedy

What is it about:
A STRANGER’S FAITH

As the Twelve Kingdoms and their allies are drawn toward war, a princess cast aside must discover a purpose she never dreamed of…

Karyn af Hardie behaved like a proper Dasnarian wife. She acquiesced, she accepted, she submitted. Until her husband gave her a choice: their loveless, unconsummated royal marriage—or her freedom. Karyn chose freedom. But with nowhere to run except into the arms of Dasnaria’s enemies, she wonders if she’s made a mistake. She wants love, security, a family. She can’t imagine finding any of it among the mercurial Tala.

Worst of all is Zyr. The uninhibited shapeshifter is everywhere she looks. He’s magnetic, relentless, teasing and tempting as if she’s free to take her pleasure where she wishes. As if there isn’t a war rising before them, against a vile and demanding force far stronger than they. But with Karyn’s loyalty far from certain, Zyr offers her only chance to aid the defense—a dangerous gambit to seek out a land not seen in centuries, using clues no one can decipher. Together, they’ll have every opportunity to fail—and one chance to steal something truly precious…

What did I (and Voodoo Bride) think of it:
If you've paid attention you know by now that Jeffe is one of my favorite authors, and I love her books. So it can't be a surprise that I got my greedy trotters on this book early and already read it (twice). Still I'm eager to get hold of a print copy to add to my keeper shelves.

This book is awesome!

Karyn and Zyr are great together. Karyn is on her own for the first time in her life, unused to making decisions for herself, and unused to handsome men flirting with her. For Zyr flirting with pretty girls seems to be as natural as breathing, but let me tell you: there is so much more to him than what he shows on the outside. I loved their banter, and the growing attraction between them. Voodoo Bride wants me to add that Zyr is the yummiest of all the yummy men in this series, and he is totally her favorite.

Next to the delicious romance there is a very cool action storyline. Karyn and Zyr are looking for a lost land, but others are seeking it as well. There is danger, and the things the two of them encounter and endure are creepy and disturbing. I was rooting for them to stay alive. I could wax poetic about all the cool and creepy stuff in this book, but it would be too spoilery though.

This being a Fantasy Romance there is a very satisfying end to this book, but the problems for the Twelve Kingdoms aren't over yet, so I'm eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, both hoping that everyone gets a happily-ever-after, and hoping that the happily-ever-after will take many books to reach.

Why should you read it:
It's a delicious Fantasy Romance


Find buy links here

Pawned - Book Review *Top Pearl 2018*

Pawned
by Laura Bickle

What is it about:
For fans of Stranger Things and the works of Neil Gaiman, Pawned is a Young Adult novel that blends dark fantasy adventure and noir — on the New Jersey boardwalk.

You can hock almost anything at my family’s pawn shop…even your own soul.

You think running a pawn shop full of cursed objects with your dad and grandpops is cool? Try it for a week and get back to me. Now try picking up any random object and seeing its creeptastic history play out right before your eyes — yup, that’s my little “gift.” It’s my job to sort out what’s haunted and hexed from what’s not, and do my best to keep all of us — including Bert, our ice-cream-truck-driving-lizard demon — employed.

So it wasn’t all sunshine, roses, and possessed samurai swords even before grandpops’ heart attack — but now things are garden-gnome levels of bad. Dad made a deal with the wrong end of the dark side to save grandpops’ life, putting my whole family smack dab between the forces of evil and our friendly local blow-your-pawn-shop-to-smithereens mobsters. And Lily next door…I shouldn’t even be thinking about Lily.

All I ever wanted was to get out of this crap town and away from my messed-up family, and instead it looks like I’m gonna have to use every scrap of magic in this joint or there won’t be any family left to leave behind…

What did I think of it:
As soon as I heard about this book I pre-ordered it! I mean: 'ice-cream-truck-driving-lizard demon'! Even if it wasn't by one of my favorite authors I wouldn't have been able to resist that! (Also: he looks like a T-Rex!)

Then Laura offered me an ARC and I was in heaven!

This is such a cool and fun read.

Raz is fed up with being different and with having to help his family with the pawnshop. Especially using his gift on the items coming in is something he really doesn't like. And when you read how it affects him, you can understand how he feels.

Then nasty things start happening, and Raz is in the middle of it, whether he wants to or not. As he uncovers secrets, fights for his life and the life of others, he will have some important decisions to make and lines to draw.

Raz is a great character, and I felt for him. I really wanted to bust some skulls for him, I'll confess. I was rooting for him, cursing others on his behalf, and hoping he would find a way out of trouble. I also loved Bert, the demon who looked lie a mini T-Rex. He may be a demon, but it was clear he had grown attache to Raz and his family. He made me wish for my own mini T-Rex demon who'll have my back.

The story was suspenseful, and full of action, betrayal, and strange events. I had to keep reading to find out if Raz and his family would survive. The ending is satisfying, but leaves enough open that I'll be hoping for a sequel, because I want more!

You bet I'll be rereading and that I'll get my trotters on a print version of this book.

Why should you read it:
ice-cream-truck-driving-lizard demon!


Buy from Amazon

Contagion - Book Review *Top Pearl 2018*

Contagion (Contagion #1)
by Erin Bowman

What is it about:
After receiving a distress call from a drill team on a distant planet, a skeleton crew is sent into deep space to perform a standard search-and-rescue mission.

When they arrive, they find the planet littered with the remains of the project--including its members' dead bodies. As they try to piece together what could have possibly decimated an entire project, they discover that some things are best left buried--and some monsters are only too ready to awaken.

What did I think of it:
I love it when a book is even better than I hoped it would be.

When I heard about this book it was pitched as 'Alien meets Outbreak'. Enough for me to preorder and beg some preorder goodies off Bowman. So when the book arrived I had a signed bookplate to put in the book and a matching bookmark.

And what an awesome read this is!

A small group based on a research base is ordered to investigate a distress call, because they're closest to the planet it originates from. As soon as the team arrives on the planet it is clear something went terribly wrong. Pleas to stay on the ship and wait for backup are ignored by the captain and the crew disembarks to investigate. There are several viewpoint characters, all with their own secrets and dreams.

I was hooked from the start. Strange and creepy things have been going on, and slowly the rescue team discovers what transpired, and they start to realize they might be in danger as well. The building tension and suspense is really well done. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't put this book down. Each new discovery racked up the creepy atmosphere and made me fear for my favorite characters.

As the story unfolds there are some really brutal action-scenes, cool revelations, betrayal, and more. As I said: I had high hopes for this book and it totally delivered.

The ending was very satisfying in my opinion, even though it's clear there's lots more to come. And you can bet I'll be getting my greedy trotters on the second book, because I want and need more!

Why should you read it:
Alien meets Outbreak! Need I really say more?


Buy from bookdepository

Happy Holidays!

It's almost Christmas, so I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays!

I hope you all get to celebrate how you want, and that you'll have lots of fun, and some time to read a good book or two.

Next week I'll be reposting reviews of some of my favorite reads from this year.

Top Pearls of 2017

It's that time of year again!

Looking back on 2017 it has been a bumpy year with months where I read almost nothing to months where I managed to find my groove again.

I read a great deal of cool books, and I have a list of twelve books/authors to share with you this year.


Some Quiet Place by Kelsey Sutton
I picked this one up because Kelsey Sutton would be at LLC Berlin. I fell in love with this book and bought Sutton's other books as well. They are beautiful as well.
Roar by Cora Carmack
Another LLC author, although Roar came out after LLC, so I couldn't read it in advance. It turned out to be a beautiful read. I also read a couple of her Contemporary Romance books: those were fun.
The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli
Even if the story hadn't sounded really cool, I'd have gotten my trotters on it because of the cover. I was lucky to get the special silver edition in a FairyLoot box, and it turned out that the story was amazing. Bring on the next book!
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
This re-imagining of the rise to power of the evil queen of Snow White is set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world and is one of the best books based on a fairytale that I've read. I will get my trotters on the next book when it releases.


The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst
A beautiful, slow paced Fantasy with a heroine I could really root for. I loved this book so much I'm a bit afraid to read the next book, especially after reading what the next book is about.
Vanguard by Ann Aguirre
This companion novel to the totally amazing Razorland Saga has the most beautiful interspecies romance I've read so far. That I received this ARC from Ann herself at LLC was the icing on the cake!
Dandelions by Shauna Granger
If you love post apocalyptic stories you really should read Granger's Ash & Ruin series. I was more than happy that she decided to write this companion novel set in the same world.
Flesh by Laura Bickle
Ghouls, giant catfish, what more could you want? Maybe a man-eating dachshund? This book is totally awesome, with lots of icky and creepy stuff. Next to this book Laura Bickle also released The Dragon's Playlist this year - another amazing read. I also reread Dark Oracle.


World Tree Girl by Kerry Schafer
This Paranormal Murder Mystery is both fun and suspenseful. Maureen is one of the coolest heroines around. I also read The Nothing by Schafer and I Wish You Happy, which she wrote as Kerry Anne King. Both great reads as well.
Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn
I received this fun superheroine story as a present, but immediately ordered the next book after finishing this one. What a cool and fun series.
More Than Comics by Elizabeth Briggs
I read Future Shock - a time travel YA - by Elizabeth Briggs and loved it so much I ordered Future Threat and signed up to Briggs' newsletter. I received one of her Contemporary Romances as a freebie and decided to read it. I loved it so much I have bought and read all of Briggs' books this year. Me being a gaming and comic book geek it might not be a surprise this is my favorite of her Contemporary Romances.
With a Prince by Jeffe Kennedy
We've read Last Dance, With a Prince, The Shift of the Tide, Since Last Christmas, and The Snows of Windroven by Jeffe Kennedy this year, as well as having reread a few of her other books. All of Jeffe's books are amazing, but Voodoo Bride wanted me to post With a Prince as she just loves the cover and the hero of this book.

That's my Top Pearls list of 2017.

What were your favorite reads?

Top Pearls 2015 - Giveaway

And after listing my top reads of 2015 it's time for a giveaway!

One reader of my blog will win a book of her/his choice, as long as it's available at bookdepository and costs no more than 14 Euro.

Giveaway is over!
The winner is: Blodeuedd

*Pearls Cast Before a McPig is not responsible for books that get lost in the mail*

Top Pearls 2015 - Continuing Awesomeness and Stand Alone Awesomeness

And today the rest of my 2015 Pearls.

Today I highlight the authors who continue to write awesome books. Most of these have been on my Top Pearls list before in previous years.

I will also list two books by new to me authors that blew me away this year.


Continuing Awesomeness:


Dana Cameron
This year I read Hellbender, the third book in the really cool Fangborn series, and the first two books in Cameron's Emma Fielding series. The Emma Fielding series is very different, but just as cool as the Fangborn series, I must say. I have the next 3 books in my TBR pile.


Gini Koch
I can't believe there are already twelve books in the Katherine 'Kitty' Katt series. I've read both books that released this year, and I'm still loving this series.


Jeffe Kennedy
Fantasy, BDSM Romance, Erotic Paranormal Suspense: Jeffe Kennedy has all of them covered, and well! I haven't come across a book by Jeffe that I didn't love. Next to the books pictured here I also read Master of the Opera, and a few novellas as well.


Laura Bickle
I read both new books by Laura Bickle this year. The Dark Alchemy series is dark and totally awesome.


Linda Poitevin
I loved the first two books of the Grigory Legacy, so I was over the moon when the last two books became available in print this year. I read both and they were beautiful!


Stand Alone Awesomeness:


The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord
I won this book in a giveaway and was totally blown away by how beautiful it was. I'm even reluctant to pick up the sequel, because I don't want anything to spoil this story.


Last Flight by Liane Merciel
Yes, I'm totally cheating here. Last Flight is part of the Dragon Age world, and I got addicted to the Dragon Age games, and world this year. So technically it's not a Stand Alone. Still I think this book deserves a mention, because it's the book that was the most emotional read for me this year. It's beautiful and sad.



Check back tomorrow for a giveaway!

Top Pearls 2015 - Great Beginnings and Endings

Just a few more days left of 2015, so it's time to tell you about my Top Pearls of this year.

This year I started on a couple of new series and had to say goodbye to others. Here are the first books in a series that made me eager to get my trotters on the other books, and two books that ended a series in a way that made me want to reread the series because I didn't want it to be over.

Beginnings:


Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach is the first book in a really awesome SF trilogy. I was hooked from the start and I've already read the whole trilogy. Recommended for SF fans, but also for people who don't like their SF 'hard-boiled'.


Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine is a beautiful Steampunk YA read about the Library of Alexandria. I loved this first book and will be getting hold of the second book once it releases.


Larcout by K.A. Krantz is the first book in really cool Fantasy series. I loved the heroine and the world building. I'm eagerly awaiting book 2.


Matched by Ally Condie is one of those books I thought I would find entertaining, but instead it turned out to be really beautiful and touching. I have the other two books in this trilogy in my TBR pile.


Partials by Dan Wells is another book that took me by surprise. The Dystopian world in this book is grim and very intriguing. I read two of the three books in this trilogy so far, and have the last one in my TBR pile.


Endings:


Age of Blood by Shauna Granger is the last book in the awesome Ash and Ruin trilogy. This trilogy is a must for everyone who loves Post Apocalyptic YA.


Deadland Rising by Rachel Aukes is the conclusion of the Deadland Saga, a truly amazing Zombie Apocalypse Trilogy. If you like your zombies nasty, your bad guys even worse, and your heroes flawed, but likeable, this is the trilogy you should get!


More Pearls tomorrow!

The Top Pearls of 2014

And after yesterday's spotlight of one of my Top Pearls authors of 2014 it is now time for my Top Pearls List of 2014!

This year I will first highlight 5 authors who so impressed me with their writing, they ended up on the list with multiple titles. Then I will name some individual books that I loved reading this year as well.


I was late to the party and only started reading Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments series this year. It was the prequel trilogy The Infernal Devices I fell in love with though.


I loved Tin Star by Cecil Castellucci so much, I also tried Boy Proof and Queen of Cool. Those were even better! I will most certainly get my trotters on her other books as well.


Voodoo Bride and I were already fans of Jeffe Kennedy, but this year brought 4 amazing reads, and we were even lucky enough to read an ARC of an upcoming book as well: The Mark of the Tala, The Tears of the Rose, Going Under, Rogue's Paradise and Under His Touch


I devoured the first two books in Shauna Granger's Ash and Ruin trilogy, and I'm eagerly awaiting the last book.


The covers of Shawntelle Madison's Coveted series didn't do much for me, but this fun series showed me that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.


I was afraid The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addings would be a bit too dry for my tastes, but it turned out to be a wonderful Fantasy read.


Deadland's Harvest by Rachel Aukes was even cooler than the first book in the Deadland trilogy. I'm eagerly awaiting the last book.


Jess Haines continues to blow me away with her books. Enslaved by the Others is awesome and intense.


Servants of the Storm by Delilah S. Dawson is a delightfully creepy and awesome read.


The Katherine "Kitty" Katt series by Gini Koch is still going strong. Universal Alien is the latest addition to this fun series.


It was the cover that made me notice the book, but The Fearless by Emma Pass is an awesome read! I already ordered Pass' other book Acid, because I want more.



And that's my Top Pearls List for 2014.
Let me know what your favorite reads of 2014 were.

And don't forget to enter yesterday's giveaway for one of Jeffe Kennedy's The Twelve Kingdoms books.

Top Pearls 2013 - part 2

Today the second and last part of my and Voodoo Bride's Top Pearls 2013 list.
Here are another 12 books that we really enjoyed reading this year, and that I can advice to anyone looking for an awesome read.


Shards & Ashes - Anthology
This anthology with Dystopian YA stories is a must read for anyone who loves Dystopian YA.

Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
A really cool, grim and realistic Post Apocalyptic YA read.

Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy
This BDSM romance isn't just a perfect read for the Holidays. It's a hot and delightful story any time of the year.

Between by Kerry Schafer
A beautiful Paranormal story about dreams, penguins and dragons.


Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson
The best book yet in a very enjoyable and entertaining Urban Fantasy series.

Omens by Kelley Armstrong
A Paranormal thriller that keeps you reading. Armstrong proves she can do a lot more than write about werewolves.

The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
An amazing, gritty, and grim YA about vampires. A must read for anyone who loves YA and vampires.

Runemarks by Joanne Harris
This YA Fantasy is cool and full of suspense and magic.


(Deadly) Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock
A really suspenseful Paranormal YA about werewolves and the human nature.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
A hauntingly beautiful YA read.

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa
An awesome Post Apocalyptic YA with vampires

Rising Darkness by Thea Harrison
A dark and intense Paranormal Romance.



And that's my list of Top Pearls for 2013!

I hope you will have a wonderful New Year's Eve, and I wish you lots of happiness and awesome reads for 2014!

A Small Interview with Maria Violante + Giveway

One of the books that made an impression on me this year was BirthMarked by Maria Violante. It's an original Urban Fantasy read with a very sympathetic heroine.

I already interviewed Maria earlier this year, but I decided to ask her a few end of year questions. She not only answered my questions, but kindly offered a copy of BirthMarked to one reader of my blog as well.


Welcome back to Pearls Cast Before a McPig, Maria.
What was your favorite moment of 2013?

As an author, I'd have to definitely say that the publication of BirthMarked was a huge milestone for me--and when I got the first review, and it was just so positive, I was humbled and pleased and really emotional.

As a professional, it would have to be November 1st, because that was the day I started my new job/career in multifamily housing management. I just got hired at an amazing company that I thought was a total longshot for me, and I can already tell I'm going to be really happy there.

I think a special mention would be Thanksgiving. I went to TWO thanksgivings, with twice the turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing--jeez, I must have gained ten pounds! But being there with two different families was lovely, and my boyfriend (a very stoic man) took the opportunity to say something really romantic and I just melted.

What will you be doing on New Year’s Eve?

Hmm. . . I hadn't even thought that far ahead yet! I almost always figure it out a day or two before. I'm pretty sure that no matter what, I'll be with people I love (and probably tipsy) and with those two, you can never go wrong.

What are you looking forward to in 2014?

The sequel to BirthMarked, which I am having the hardest time titling, is like 75% of the way done. I got off track this last month or so, what with the new career, car trouble, all of the things that life just kinda throws at you . . . but you know, the thing that always brings me back in is reviews, believe it or not. I'll just be doing whatever, and my phone will ping, and I'll see that someone new has left me a review on amazon and just loved the book--and then I'll feel really inspired to work on the next one! So that's great.

What can readers expect from you in 2014?

BirthMarked, books two and three--is she the lighthouse, or the lily? And what's going to happen with her and Shawn/Dean/ALLTHEMEN?

I've also got another series that's just been taunting me. I've rewritten the first half of the first book three times now, and it's just fallen flat for me--and I started this other book, that wasn't quite making it. One day, I'm in the shower and bing!--a light goes on. They're not working, because they're two halves of the same whole.

So I'm really excited about that project. Over a year in just the idea stage, and I know it will be great.

Thanks for dropping by and have a great New Year's Eve.


==========================

Giveaway:

Maria will gift one reader of my blog with a digital copy of BirthMarked.
For your chance to win:
- Leave a comment for Maria
- Leave a way for me to contact you
- Do so before January 12th 2014

Open internationally for anyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway

A winner will be picked at random on January 12th or soon after.

Top Pearls 2013 - part 1

Here are 12 of 24 books we read this year that we wanted to give a shout-out, because they're really cool.
I haven't included the books that (will) have their own shout-out and giveaway post (except one).

Click the titles to go to my review, and stay tuned for part 2!


Alliance Forged by Kylie Griffin
This is a wonderful Fantasy Romance with a swoonworthy hero according to Voodoo Bride.

Absolution by Susannah Sandlin
A Paranormal Romance with yet another awesome hero, and with a solid action storyline that made this a great read for both Voodoo Bride and me.

100 Days in Deadland by Rachel Aukes
This zombie retelling of Dante's Inferno is so cool I bought a print version after I finished reading the ebook.

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
An awesome Post Apocalyptic YA.


Horde by Ann Aguirre
The epic conclusion of an amazing Post Apocalyptic YA trilogy.

White Cat by Holly Black
A cool Paranormal YA about a boy who grew up in a family of con men.

Angelfall by Susan Ee
Who knew books about angels could be this awesomely gritty? A great Post Apocalyptic YA.

Elysian Fields by Suzanne Johnson
The third book in a really cool UF series that keeps getting better and better.


Alien Research by Gini Koch
A great addition to a SF series that is cool, funny, and a pleasure to read.

The Outside by Laura Bickle
Words are not enough to tell you how awesome this 2nd book in a Post Apocalyptic duology with Amish and vampires is.

Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines
What makes an already amazing UF series even better: Zombies!

Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan
A really fun and suspenseful Paranormal YA.

Five Gorgeous Reads

Merry Christmas everyone!


In the spirit of my Top Pearls of 2013 I'm reposting the video I made with 5 books I think everyone should read. Not all of them I read this year, but the ones I read earlier had sequels this year that I absolutely loved as well, so I think it counts ;-)

Top Pearls Giveaway - Unspoken (closed)

It's that time of year again!

2013 is almost gone, so it's time to look back at the best reads of this year and to give away some books.

I decided to start off with a giveaway of a book that when I picked it up, I expected to just like, but instead it turned out to be an amazing read that I love.


Unspoken (read my review here) by Sarah Rees Brennan was a book I picked up because I was going to meet the author and I was curious what kind of books she wrote. And I fell in love! Unspoken is a wonderful Paranormal Young Adult read (don't let that cover fool you into thinking it's Contemporary YA) filled with humor and suspense.

I have one copy of this book for one reader of my blog!

Rules:
- Leave a comment telling me about one of your favorite reads of 2013
- Leave a way for me to contact you
- Do this before January 5th

Open internationally to everyone who's legally allowed to enter this giveaway.

I will pick a winner at random on January 5th or soon after.

The winner is Miki!

Top Pearls List 2012 with Giveaway

And here it is:

My Top Pearls list of 2012!
I did things differently than the last few years and instead of picking just a few books I looked at the best book I read each month.


In January my favorite read was Sins of the Angels by Linda Poitevin. It's a nailbiting and awesome UF/PNR thriller.

In February it was Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder. It's a cool Fantasy story full of action and adventure.

In March the most amazing book I read was Alien Diplomacy by Gini Koch. It's a wacky, fun and action packed SciFi adventure.



In April Voodoo Bride fell in love with Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison. According to Voodoo Bride it's a fun paranormal romance with a sexy Djinn.

Fair Game by Patricia Briggs blew us away in May. It's an intense and emotional UF read.

June wasn't our best month when it came to loving books however, so I included some other great books we read in May, which was a stellar month.


Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire . It's a fun Urban Fantasy Romance.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. It's a beautiful YA with werewolves.

Wicked as They Come by Delilah S Dawson. It's a beautiful, dark Victorian fairy tale.


In July there was the awesome Stalking the Others by Jess Haines. It's an action-packed and awesome Urban Fantasy read.

The best August read was Precinct 13 by Tate Hallaway. It's a very entertaining Urban Fantasy.

Outpost by Ann Aguirre was my absolute favorite September read and my second favorite read of 2012. It's Post Apocalyptic Awesomeness!


October was the month I read The Hallowed Ones by Laura Bickle, my absolute favorite book of 2012. It's a totally amazing YA horror-thriller.

In November my favorite read was Endgame, another one of Ann Aguirre's books.

In December I fell in love with The House of Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe. It's a beautiful story set in the early 20th century.



Next to this list I also want to mention the best ebooks we read in 2012:


Waiting for Midnight by Merrie Destefano. This is a beautifully written collection of touching and disturbing tales.

Rogue's Pawn by Jeffe Kennedy. It's a beautiful and dark Fantasy Romance.

Intimate Exposure by Portia Da Costa. It's an intense, romantic BDSM story.

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And now for a giveaway!

One commenter will win one of our favorite reads of 2012.
I will have to exclude the ebooks, because I can't gift ebooks unfortunately.

The rules:
- Leave a comment with the answer to the following question:
What book from my list do you want to win and what was your favorite read of 2012?
- Leave a way for me to contact you
- Do so before January 6th 2013
- Open to everyone who is old enough to be allowed to enter this giveaway and to read the chosen book and who lives somewhere where the Bookdepository ships to.

Top Pearls 2011

And here it is!
My post with my top reads for 2011.

As you might have guessed: Laura Bickle, Jess Haines, Gini Koch and Carolyn Crane again made it in my Top Pearls list of 2011, but because I just spend the last 4 days telling you how awesome their books are I will not talk about their books again, but name the other authors and books that rocked my reading world this year.

Ann Aguirre

I will confess I read Grimspace in 2010, but in 2011 I really discovered what an awesome author Ann Aguirre is.

Her Sirantha Jax series is an emotional rollercoaster ride with me loving Jax in Grimspace, loathing her in Wanderlust and loving her all over again in Doubleblind. I will most certainly be reading the other books in this series in 2012.

Enclave is my all time favorite Young Adult read! It has a wonderfully gritty post-apocalyptic story and world and Deuce is a really cool character. I'm impatiently waiting for the next book in this series.

Stone Maiden is a bittersweet, exotic fairytale and if you haven't read it yet: get the PDF free here (although I can really advice you to get it in print, it's beautiful).

I just started Aguirre's Corine Solomon series and I'm so going to get my trotters on all books in that series as well.


Ellen Connor

Ok, this is actually Ann Aguirre again, this time teaming up with Carrie Lofty to write some amazing Post-Apocalyptic Paranormal Romance.

It's the really amazing setting that makes this trilogy so utterly awesome, although the stories are really cool as well.

I can advice this trilogy to any reader of PNR who loves post-apocalyptic settings and I hope the Ellen Connor duo will decide to write more books together.


Marjorie M. Liu

I won the first three books of the Hunter Kiss series and the prequel novella in a giveaway and I must say I'm so glad I did. Liu's Hunter Kiss series is totally amazing. Maxine Kiss is a heroine I liked from the start and her demon pals are so cool. The stories are intense and full of action. At the moment I'm waiting impatiently for the 4th book in this series (which released this week) to arrive.

The Dirk & Steele series by Liu is just as wonderful as her Hunter Kiss series and so far I've read four books in this series and have a 5th book in my tbr-pile. I will most certainly try to get my trotters on the rest of the books in this series as well in 2012.


Some other amazing reads

Feast by Merrie Destefano: this is a wonderfully dark fairytale that draws you in and keeps you captivated from start to finish.

Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder: An awesome Fantasy that caught me by surprise and made me fall head over heels in love with its heroine and her love interest.

A Brush of Darkness by Allison Pang: So much mentions of bacon in this book, but that couldn't stop me from loving this story about Abby and the Incubus she falls for.


My favorite Zombie Read

Married with Zombies and Flip This Zombie by Jesse Petersen are both funny and full of zombie mayhem. A terrific combination.


Voodoo Bride's favorite reads of 2011

The Goblin King by Shona Husk: Who can resist a Paranormal romance where the hero is a goblin king?

Enemy Games by Marcella Burnard: This is a perfect mix of Scifi, adventure, suspense and romance.

Storm's Heart by Thea Harrison: Tiago is so amazing! Go read this book now if you want to read a PNR with a swoonworthy hero.

Petals and Thorns by Jennifer Paris: A wonderful BDSM retelling of Beauty and the Beast.




And lastly some series that deserve an honorable mention:


The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh
The Persephone Alcmedi series by Linda Robertson
The Elder Races series by Thea Harrison
The Downside Ghosts series by Stacia Kane

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And that's my Top Pearls list for 2011!
Have a great New Year's Eve everyone and a wonderful 2012.