Taylor Fenner's Blog, page 145
July 7, 2017
Countdown to Because of Lila by Abbi Glines
The second book in New York Times Best-Selling Author Abbi Glines's Rosemary Beach Meets Sea Breeze Series comes out in just 4 DAYS! Who else is excited?
★★★ More About the Book ★★★ Prim, proper, classic good girl, and her least favorite label – icy.Lila Kate Carter has heard them all. The last one, being the newest. She is not icy. She just doesn’t care for Cruz Kerrington and his spoiled, selfish, careless ways. That doesn’t make her icy, that makes him a jerk!
Tired of being labeled and doing what is expected of her, Lila Kate leaves Rosemary Beach, Florida ready for an adventure. Wanting to recreate herself, find a new path, and become something more.
Eli Hardy is tired of women who always act the same, do the same thing and expect the same thing. He’s ready to swear off women until he can get the rest of his life together.Two weeks into his no-women-rule he meets Lila. She’s so damn sweet and polite. Like she walked right out of an etiquette book. But he’d already been drunk before she walked in so there was a good chance she might not be as stunning and perfect as he thinks. He’s just too drunk to worry about that.
The next morning, he swears he can still smell her on his skin. He just can’t remember why or what happened after that third dance.
Their worlds are about to collide, and so are the secrets and lies.
★★★ PRE-ORDER TODAY ★★★Kobo: http://bit.ly/2tOndcHiBooks: http://apple.co/2rpgg0GNook: http://bit.ly/2sK7D3fSmashwords: http://bit.ly/2sbZti6Amazon: LIVE ON RELEASE DAY
★★★ More About the Book ★★★ Prim, proper, classic good girl, and her least favorite label – icy.Lila Kate Carter has heard them all. The last one, being the newest. She is not icy. She just doesn’t care for Cruz Kerrington and his spoiled, selfish, careless ways. That doesn’t make her icy, that makes him a jerk!
Tired of being labeled and doing what is expected of her, Lila Kate leaves Rosemary Beach, Florida ready for an adventure. Wanting to recreate herself, find a new path, and become something more.
Eli Hardy is tired of women who always act the same, do the same thing and expect the same thing. He’s ready to swear off women until he can get the rest of his life together.Two weeks into his no-women-rule he meets Lila. She’s so damn sweet and polite. Like she walked right out of an etiquette book. But he’d already been drunk before she walked in so there was a good chance she might not be as stunning and perfect as he thinks. He’s just too drunk to worry about that.
The next morning, he swears he can still smell her on his skin. He just can’t remember why or what happened after that third dance.
Their worlds are about to collide, and so are the secrets and lies.
★★★ PRE-ORDER TODAY ★★★Kobo: http://bit.ly/2tOndcHiBooks: http://apple.co/2rpgg0GNook: http://bit.ly/2sK7D3fSmashwords: http://bit.ly/2sbZti6Amazon: LIVE ON RELEASE DAY
July 6, 2017
#BookMail Thursday #27
This week the book mail I'm sharing with you really isn't my own (although I plan to read this book myself!). You see, my grandmother has trouble seeing small print in books due to her neuropathy and some other health issues so she discovered Doubleday Home Library where she can get Large Print copies of books. She ordered a Large Print edition of Come Sundown by Nora Roberts but she also ordered...
You Will Pay by Lisa Jackson
About "You Will Pay": In a fast-paced, brilliantly twisted novel of suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson, the deadly secrets of a long-ago summer stir to life once more.
It starts as a prank—a way to blow off steam after a long summer at Camp Horseshoe. Among the teen counselors, tensions and hormones are running high. No wonder the others agree when Jo-Beth Chancellor suggests they scare Monica O’Neal a little . . . or a lot. Monica has it coming, and no one will really get hurt. What could go wrong?
Everything.
Twenty years later, Lucas Dalton, a senior detective with the sheriff’s department, is investigating the discovery of human remains in a cavern at what used to be Camp Horseshoe. Lucas knows the spot well. His father, a preacher, ran the camp, and Lucas worked there that infamous summer when two girls went missing. No one knows what happened to either of them, though with a dangerous convict on the loose, gossip was rife that they may have been kidnapped, or worse.
For Lucas, the case is personal—perhaps too much so. But it’s time to uncover the whole truth at last. That’s why seven former female counselors are coming back to the small Oregon town—among them, Bernadette Alsace, the woman Lucas has never forgotten. Each one knows something about that terrible night. Each promised not to tell. And as they reunite, a new horror unfolds. First come texts containing a personal memento and a simple, terrifying message: YOU WILL PAY. Then, the murders begin.
It started years ago. But it will end here—as a web of lust, greed, and betrayal is untangled to reveal a killer waiting to enact the perfect revenge.***Prime Day is Coming Up!Since Amazon Prime Day is on Tuesday (July 11) I'm thinking of breaking my book ban and seeing if I can score some deals on books I've had on my Amazon Wishlist for a while. Do you plan on shopping Amazon for Prime Day?
You Will Pay by Lisa Jackson
About "You Will Pay": In a fast-paced, brilliantly twisted novel of suspense from #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson, the deadly secrets of a long-ago summer stir to life once more.
It starts as a prank—a way to blow off steam after a long summer at Camp Horseshoe. Among the teen counselors, tensions and hormones are running high. No wonder the others agree when Jo-Beth Chancellor suggests they scare Monica O’Neal a little . . . or a lot. Monica has it coming, and no one will really get hurt. What could go wrong?
Everything.
Twenty years later, Lucas Dalton, a senior detective with the sheriff’s department, is investigating the discovery of human remains in a cavern at what used to be Camp Horseshoe. Lucas knows the spot well. His father, a preacher, ran the camp, and Lucas worked there that infamous summer when two girls went missing. No one knows what happened to either of them, though with a dangerous convict on the loose, gossip was rife that they may have been kidnapped, or worse.
For Lucas, the case is personal—perhaps too much so. But it’s time to uncover the whole truth at last. That’s why seven former female counselors are coming back to the small Oregon town—among them, Bernadette Alsace, the woman Lucas has never forgotten. Each one knows something about that terrible night. Each promised not to tell. And as they reunite, a new horror unfolds. First come texts containing a personal memento and a simple, terrifying message: YOU WILL PAY. Then, the murders begin.
It started years ago. But it will end here—as a web of lust, greed, and betrayal is untangled to reveal a killer waiting to enact the perfect revenge.***Prime Day is Coming Up!Since Amazon Prime Day is on Tuesday (July 11) I'm thinking of breaking my book ban and seeing if I can score some deals on books I've had on my Amazon Wishlist for a while. Do you plan on shopping Amazon for Prime Day?
July 5, 2017
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #82
This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm tackling a couple open books. I'm back to the audiobook of Caraval by Stephanie Garber and plodding my way through an ARC of Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill but my main read this "WIR"-Wednesday is...
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
Blurb:
Princess. Captive. Gladiator. Always a Warrior.
Fallon is the daughter of a proud Celtic king and the younger sister of the legendary fighter Sorcha. When Fallon was just a child, Sorcha was killed by the armies of Julius Caesar.
On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's footsteps and earn her place in her father's war band. She never gets the chance.
Fallon is captured and sold to an elite training school for female gladiators—owned by none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, the man who destroyed Fallon’s family might be her only hope of survival.
Now, Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, deadly fights in and out of the arena, and perhaps the most dangerous threat of all: her irresistible feelings for Cai, a young Roman soldier and her sworn enemy.
Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far: I've been wanting to read this book for a while now and I've heard good things about it. I think the reason I waited so long was that I'd heard mixed reviews and was afraid to buy it in case I didn't like it. But I took the plunge a couple months ago and The Valiant has been sitting on my shelf for months I figured it was high time I gave it a try. So far I noticed that this book seems to have huge font (what is it, a 14-point font?) which should have made it a fairly quick read. I planned on starting this book yesterday but I decided to watch tv instead then last night when I began flipping through it doubt began to creep in. I'm not sure I like the story of it after all. I'm not sure I'm going to give this book a try or whether I'll just stick with Ever the Brave.
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
Blurb:
Princess. Captive. Gladiator. Always a Warrior. Fallon is the daughter of a proud Celtic king and the younger sister of the legendary fighter Sorcha. When Fallon was just a child, Sorcha was killed by the armies of Julius Caesar.
On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Fallon is excited to follow in her sister's footsteps and earn her place in her father's war band. She never gets the chance.
Fallon is captured and sold to an elite training school for female gladiators—owned by none other than Julius Caesar himself. In a cruel twist of fate, the man who destroyed Fallon’s family might be her only hope of survival.
Now, Fallon must overcome vicious rivalries, deadly fights in and out of the arena, and perhaps the most dangerous threat of all: her irresistible feelings for Cai, a young Roman soldier and her sworn enemy.
Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far: I've been wanting to read this book for a while now and I've heard good things about it. I think the reason I waited so long was that I'd heard mixed reviews and was afraid to buy it in case I didn't like it. But I took the plunge a couple months ago and The Valiant has been sitting on my shelf for months I figured it was high time I gave it a try. So far I noticed that this book seems to have huge font (what is it, a 14-point font?) which should have made it a fairly quick read. I planned on starting this book yesterday but I decided to watch tv instead then last night when I began flipping through it doubt began to creep in. I'm not sure I like the story of it after all. I'm not sure I'm going to give this book a try or whether I'll just stick with Ever the Brave.
July 4, 2017
Book Review: Sublime by Christina Lauren
Sublime by Christina Lauren
Blurb:
Love is...Beautiful,Dangerous,Scary.Sublime.
When Lucy walks out of a frozen forest, wearing only a silk dress and sandals, she isn't sure why she's there, until she sees Colin.
Colin has never been captivated by a girl the way he is by Lucy. With each passing day their lives intertwine, and even as Lucy begins to remember more of her life—and her death—neither of them is willing to give up what they have, no matter how impossible it is. And when Colin finds a way to physically be with Lucy, taking himself to the brink of death where his reality and Lucy’s overlap, the joy of being together for those brief stolen moments drowns out everything in the outside world. But some lines weren’t meant to be crossed…
My Review: I fell in love with Christina Lauren's novel The House, so picking up Sublime was a no-brainer.
The book begins with Lucy waking up in the forest with no memory of who or where she is. A strange, insistent pull guides her past a school grounds to the dining hall where she sees him. Without even knowing his name Lucy knows that she's there for him.
Colin is a daredevil of sorts, he loves extreme sports that get his heart racing and usually land him in the hospital. It's a rush he's never gotten from any of the girls at St. Osanna's Boarding School. Until he meets her. Lucy is captivating and mysterious. But why does he see her physical appearance differently than everyone else (or at least those that bother to notice Lucy at all)?
As the weeks tick by and Lucy and Colin spend more and more time together feelings begin to form, but as Lucy's memories begin to surface and Colin does research of his own they'll be faced with an obstacle that could keep them apart forever. An obstacle that is the difference between life and death.
Colin finds a way for him to really be able to connect with Lucy, but is it worth risking his life? Or will Colin be forced to let Lucy go?
I thought the writing style of this book was a little strange but overall I liked the story. At times it gave me the creeps, but it was compelling enough that I didn't want to stop reading.
I wished the reader could have seen more of Lucy's memories. Really other than her death and a few other minor things about her life we didn't really learn much about her past. I also found it interesting how accepting everyone was about what Lucy was, Lucy and Colin's relationship, and Jay's willingness to help Colin be able to be closer with Lucy. Maybe it was because the school was rumored to be haunted that everyone just accepted it as fact, but it was a little too smooth.
Jay was another thing that stuck out to me. At times he seemed either afraid of Lucy or the things Colin was doing to be able to spend time with her, yet he went along with it. Was it all a front?
I admit the ending was what struck me the most. It was sad that Colin made the choice that he did to be with Lucy for seemingly the sole reason that then he'd be able to touch her and have sex with her.
Overall, I was mesmerized by this story. I think it will stay with me for quite a while just like The House did. Sublime reminds me of a combination of Tara Hudson's Hereafter and the movie Flatliners. If you're looking for a haunting read that you will feel compelled to read in one sitting, Sublime is your book!
My Rating:4 of 5 Stars!
Love is...Beautiful,Dangerous,Scary.Sublime.When Lucy walks out of a frozen forest, wearing only a silk dress and sandals, she isn't sure why she's there, until she sees Colin.
Colin has never been captivated by a girl the way he is by Lucy. With each passing day their lives intertwine, and even as Lucy begins to remember more of her life—and her death—neither of them is willing to give up what they have, no matter how impossible it is. And when Colin finds a way to physically be with Lucy, taking himself to the brink of death where his reality and Lucy’s overlap, the joy of being together for those brief stolen moments drowns out everything in the outside world. But some lines weren’t meant to be crossed…
My Review: I fell in love with Christina Lauren's novel The House, so picking up Sublime was a no-brainer.
The book begins with Lucy waking up in the forest with no memory of who or where she is. A strange, insistent pull guides her past a school grounds to the dining hall where she sees him. Without even knowing his name Lucy knows that she's there for him.
Colin is a daredevil of sorts, he loves extreme sports that get his heart racing and usually land him in the hospital. It's a rush he's never gotten from any of the girls at St. Osanna's Boarding School. Until he meets her. Lucy is captivating and mysterious. But why does he see her physical appearance differently than everyone else (or at least those that bother to notice Lucy at all)?
As the weeks tick by and Lucy and Colin spend more and more time together feelings begin to form, but as Lucy's memories begin to surface and Colin does research of his own they'll be faced with an obstacle that could keep them apart forever. An obstacle that is the difference between life and death.
Colin finds a way for him to really be able to connect with Lucy, but is it worth risking his life? Or will Colin be forced to let Lucy go?
I thought the writing style of this book was a little strange but overall I liked the story. At times it gave me the creeps, but it was compelling enough that I didn't want to stop reading.
I wished the reader could have seen more of Lucy's memories. Really other than her death and a few other minor things about her life we didn't really learn much about her past. I also found it interesting how accepting everyone was about what Lucy was, Lucy and Colin's relationship, and Jay's willingness to help Colin be able to be closer with Lucy. Maybe it was because the school was rumored to be haunted that everyone just accepted it as fact, but it was a little too smooth.
Jay was another thing that stuck out to me. At times he seemed either afraid of Lucy or the things Colin was doing to be able to spend time with her, yet he went along with it. Was it all a front?
I admit the ending was what struck me the most. It was sad that Colin made the choice that he did to be with Lucy for seemingly the sole reason that then he'd be able to touch her and have sex with her.
Overall, I was mesmerized by this story. I think it will stay with me for quite a while just like The House did. Sublime reminds me of a combination of Tara Hudson's Hereafter and the movie Flatliners. If you're looking for a haunting read that you will feel compelled to read in one sitting, Sublime is your book!
My Rating:4 of 5 Stars!
July 2, 2017
CurseBreaker Publishing Timeline
Now that Through the Fog and Eternal Fire have launched I can begin thinking ahead to my YA High Fantasy / Fairytale Retelling, CURSEBREAKER, which will be releasing in January 2018! CURSEBREAKER is a historical fantasy retelling of the Norwegian fairytale East O' The Sun and West O' The Moon set in Viking-era Scandinavia.
I've already done a few things toward the publishing process but I've never really detailed my publishing and marketing process... UNTIL NOW!
SEPTEMBER 2017: - Create my marketing plan:Target audience is fans of Young Adult High Fantasy and Fairytale Retelling, especially fans of Sarah J. Maas, Erin Summerill, and Hunted by Meagan SpoonerDecide which media channels I will promote CurseBreaker onBrainstorm a possible promo or preorder giveaway- Go over final edits with my editor.
October 2017: - Find beta readers and send copies out- Submit CurseBreaker to Netgalley- Cover Reveal - Add CurseBreaker to Goodreads, potentially do an ARC giveaway- Brainstorm launch event - on Facebook?-Reach out to bloggers for ARC reviews and blog tour- Decide whether I want to do any local book signings-Submit for pre-order in ebook format.
November 2017: - Select and post a teaser of CurseBreaker on my website and here on my blog.- Make sure my website has up-to-date preorder links.-Submit for reviews.- Submit to book newsletters for promotion.
December 2017: - Post the teaser from November (or maybe a different teaser) on Wattpad. - Promote CurseBreaker in Facebook groups and Google+ groups.- Reach out to author and blogger friends to see if they'll help me promote CurseBreaker.- Create graphics to promote CurseBreaker.
January 2018: Promotion and release day giveaway (potential exclusive copy of book)
~I know what you think it missing - editing and cover design. It's not missing. I've already created CurseBreaker's cover and the manuscript has already gone through three rounds of editing and proofreading. I have a few other things up my sleeve but I don't want to reveal them just yet.
What do you think of my marketing plan? Is there anything you would add? Are you a blogger or reviewer that would be interested in reading and reviewing CurseBreaker when the time comes? Or would you be interested in having me do a guest post or author interview? Just let me know and we'll work something out!
I've already done a few things toward the publishing process but I've never really detailed my publishing and marketing process... UNTIL NOW!
SEPTEMBER 2017: - Create my marketing plan:Target audience is fans of Young Adult High Fantasy and Fairytale Retelling, especially fans of Sarah J. Maas, Erin Summerill, and Hunted by Meagan SpoonerDecide which media channels I will promote CurseBreaker onBrainstorm a possible promo or preorder giveaway- Go over final edits with my editor.
October 2017: - Find beta readers and send copies out- Submit CurseBreaker to Netgalley- Cover Reveal - Add CurseBreaker to Goodreads, potentially do an ARC giveaway- Brainstorm launch event - on Facebook?-Reach out to bloggers for ARC reviews and blog tour- Decide whether I want to do any local book signings-Submit for pre-order in ebook format.
November 2017: - Select and post a teaser of CurseBreaker on my website and here on my blog.- Make sure my website has up-to-date preorder links.-Submit for reviews.- Submit to book newsletters for promotion.
December 2017: - Post the teaser from November (or maybe a different teaser) on Wattpad. - Promote CurseBreaker in Facebook groups and Google+ groups.- Reach out to author and blogger friends to see if they'll help me promote CurseBreaker.- Create graphics to promote CurseBreaker.
January 2018: Promotion and release day giveaway (potential exclusive copy of book)
~I know what you think it missing - editing and cover design. It's not missing. I've already created CurseBreaker's cover and the manuscript has already gone through three rounds of editing and proofreading. I have a few other things up my sleeve but I don't want to reveal them just yet.
What do you think of my marketing plan? Is there anything you would add? Are you a blogger or reviewer that would be interested in reading and reviewing CurseBreaker when the time comes? Or would you be interested in having me do a guest post or author interview? Just let me know and we'll work something out!
July 1, 2017
#BookTag Saturday: The First Date Book Tag
It's #BookTag Saturday Again! This week I'm tackling the "First Date Book Tag. I found it on: Coffee Break YA/NA and the Original Book Tag is from Katesbookdate.
1. The awkward first date – a book where something felt off. It wasn’t a bad book, but lacked that spark for you.
Nemesis by Anna Banks. I liked it well enough, but a lot of it was about running the government in the kingdom which was boring.
2. The cheap first date – book that turned out less than you expected
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. I was expecting so much and it just didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Well-prepared first date – better than expected
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee. Not my usual genre but now one of my favorite series and authors!
4. Hot but dumb – pretty book, not so hot on the inside
Menagerie by Rachel Vincent. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance, but at the time I didn't like it.
5. Blind date – book you picked up not knowing anything about it
Breathe by Abbi Glines. It was my first Abbi Glines book.
6. Speed dating – book you read super fast
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga because it was mostly pictures.
7. The rebound – a book you read too soon after a book hangover and it kind of ruined the book for you
The Shining by Stephen King. It was just so boring. :'(
8. Overly enthusiastic date – a book that felt like it was trying too hard
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (see #2)
9. The perfect first date – book that did everything right for you
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco. Fantastic world-building, great story, strong female lead, appealing love interest, complementing secondary characters.
10. Humiliating first date – book you’re embarrassed to admit you liked/ embarrassed to see reading in public for whatever reason
Claiming Addison by Zoey Derrick just because of the overall content. Loved the story, but ashamed to admit I sometimes read *that kind of books*
1. The awkward first date – a book where something felt off. It wasn’t a bad book, but lacked that spark for you.
Nemesis by Anna Banks. I liked it well enough, but a lot of it was about running the government in the kingdom which was boring.
2. The cheap first date – book that turned out less than you expected
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas. I was expecting so much and it just didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Well-prepared first date – better than expected
The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee. Not my usual genre but now one of my favorite series and authors!
4. Hot but dumb – pretty book, not so hot on the inside
Menagerie by Rachel Vincent. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a chance, but at the time I didn't like it.
5. Blind date – book you picked up not knowing anything about it
Breathe by Abbi Glines. It was my first Abbi Glines book.
6. Speed dating – book you read super fast
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga because it was mostly pictures.
7. The rebound – a book you read too soon after a book hangover and it kind of ruined the book for you
The Shining by Stephen King. It was just so boring. :'(
8. Overly enthusiastic date – a book that felt like it was trying too hard
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (see #2)
9. The perfect first date – book that did everything right for you
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco. Fantastic world-building, great story, strong female lead, appealing love interest, complementing secondary characters.
10. Humiliating first date – book you’re embarrassed to admit you liked/ embarrassed to see reading in public for whatever reason
Claiming Addison by Zoey Derrick just because of the overall content. Loved the story, but ashamed to admit I sometimes read *that kind of books*
June 30, 2017
June Wrap-Up
June was a fantastically busy month and in case you missed anything on my blog or social media last month, this is what I got up to:
READING
Books I Reviewed In June:
Secrets of Skin and Stone by Wendy Laine - My new favorite gargoyle-themed book!
Roar by Cora Carmack - Magical storms + a magicless Princess + swoon-worthy storm hunters = an awesome read!
Kiss Me, Kill You by Larissa C. Hardesty - A quick YA read about a teen succubus who just wants to fall in love.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller - Strike two when it comes to me and pirate-themed books.
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga - My first manga read and an interesting way to read an old favorite.
Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly - An emotional end to a fantastic trilogy!
Books I Read In June:
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga
Caraval by Stephanie Garber (Took a break from reading, will finish listening to audiobook in July)
The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee
Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly
The Shining by Stephen King
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (Still reading... hoping to finish tonight!)
Books To-Be-Read in July:
Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill
Sublime by Christina Lauren
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
WRITING
In June, I finished writing my seventh full-length novel and first New Adult novel, Headless. I wrote a total of 27,711 words this month, finishing the first draft at 76,211 words! This is the longest of all the novels I've written so far.
BLOGGING
In June, I participated in 3 Cover Art Reveals, 4 Release Day Blitzes and/or Blog Tours, 1 Excerpt Reveal, and Three Book Tags. I also posted my Summer Reads to Check Out Blog which can be found here: "Stuff Your Beach Bag! 17 Books to Devour this Summer!"
PUBLISHING
This month, I published my fifth novel and the third book in my Eternals Trilogy, Through the Fog. Included with Through the Fog is a bonus novelette entitled, Eternal Fire which is in the perspective of one of my favorite secondary characters. You can read more about Through the Fog and Eternal Fire here: "{Release Day Blitz} Through the Fog by Taylor Fenner"
MISC. BOOK NEWS
Finally, this month I submitted my upcoming YA High Fantasy novel, CurseBreaker to a writing contest for fantasy novels. The deadline isn't until October 31, 2017, but I wanted to get it in early enough. I'll be starting to get CurseBreaker ready for it's January 2, 2018, release next month! Be on the look out for opportunities to read an ARC of CurseBreaker later this year!
READING
Books I Reviewed In June:
Secrets of Skin and Stone by Wendy Laine - My new favorite gargoyle-themed book!
Roar by Cora Carmack - Magical storms + a magicless Princess + swoon-worthy storm hunters = an awesome read!
Kiss Me, Kill You by Larissa C. Hardesty - A quick YA read about a teen succubus who just wants to fall in love.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller - Strike two when it comes to me and pirate-themed books.
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga - My first manga read and an interesting way to read an old favorite.
Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly - An emotional end to a fantastic trilogy!
Books I Read In June:
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
Beautiful Creatures: The Manga
Caraval by Stephanie Garber (Took a break from reading, will finish listening to audiobook in July)
The Dazzling Heights by Katharine McGee
Just An Illusion: EP by D. Kelly
The Shining by Stephen King
Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (Still reading... hoping to finish tonight!)
Books To-Be-Read in July:
Ever the Brave by Erin Summerill
Sublime by Christina Lauren
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
WRITING
In June, I finished writing my seventh full-length novel and first New Adult novel, Headless. I wrote a total of 27,711 words this month, finishing the first draft at 76,211 words! This is the longest of all the novels I've written so far.
BLOGGING
In June, I participated in 3 Cover Art Reveals, 4 Release Day Blitzes and/or Blog Tours, 1 Excerpt Reveal, and Three Book Tags. I also posted my Summer Reads to Check Out Blog which can be found here: "Stuff Your Beach Bag! 17 Books to Devour this Summer!"
PUBLISHING
This month, I published my fifth novel and the third book in my Eternals Trilogy, Through the Fog. Included with Through the Fog is a bonus novelette entitled, Eternal Fire which is in the perspective of one of my favorite secondary characters. You can read more about Through the Fog and Eternal Fire here: "{Release Day Blitz} Through the Fog by Taylor Fenner"
MISC. BOOK NEWS
Finally, this month I submitted my upcoming YA High Fantasy novel, CurseBreaker to a writing contest for fantasy novels. The deadline isn't until October 31, 2017, but I wanted to get it in early enough. I'll be starting to get CurseBreaker ready for it's January 2, 2018, release next month! Be on the look out for opportunities to read an ARC of CurseBreaker later this year!
June 29, 2017
#BookMail Thursday #26
While this week I technically didn't have any "book mail" because I've been adhering to my book buying ban. I did make one little splurge when I went to Barnes and Noble for the first time in at least eight months last Friday. My book splurge was...
Barnes and Noble Splurge:
Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis
Hunted by Meagan Spooner
Remember how I was talking about wanting to get Given to the Sea a couple weeks ago? The problem I find lately is that since I'm far away from the nearest Barnes and Noble and my local Walmart doesn't have the best selection of YA novels, I've been buying most of my books online. Sure, there's nothing wrong with that, they're usually cheaper than when you buy them at the store but other than reading the first few pages you can't really get a feel for whether you'll like the book or not when you buy online. For me, I always read the last few paragraphs of a book to determine whether I will like it or not and you can't exactly do that online. I was craving the ability to flip through books at an actual bookstore, so when I had the chance to get out of the house last week and go to Barnes and Noble I was over the moon.
I got to look at so many books I'd been considering and realize that most of them I wouldn't have liked anyway, therefore saving me money. I finally decided on these two books because I've wanted them for a while and they both look like good reads. Hunted has such a gorgeous cover (actually they both have awesome covers but Hunted's cover is just so shiny in person and you can't tell that from photos).
While I love shopping online it was nice to be able to hang out in my happy place for a little while. I've said it before but I mean it now when I say this will probably be my last book splurge for a while.
***
Have you bought any new books lately? What did you get?
Barnes and Noble Splurge:
Given to the Sea by Mindy McGinnis
Hunted by Meagan Spooner
Remember how I was talking about wanting to get Given to the Sea a couple weeks ago? The problem I find lately is that since I'm far away from the nearest Barnes and Noble and my local Walmart doesn't have the best selection of YA novels, I've been buying most of my books online. Sure, there's nothing wrong with that, they're usually cheaper than when you buy them at the store but other than reading the first few pages you can't really get a feel for whether you'll like the book or not when you buy online. For me, I always read the last few paragraphs of a book to determine whether I will like it or not and you can't exactly do that online. I was craving the ability to flip through books at an actual bookstore, so when I had the chance to get out of the house last week and go to Barnes and Noble I was over the moon.
I got to look at so many books I'd been considering and realize that most of them I wouldn't have liked anyway, therefore saving me money. I finally decided on these two books because I've wanted them for a while and they both look like good reads. Hunted has such a gorgeous cover (actually they both have awesome covers but Hunted's cover is just so shiny in person and you can't tell that from photos).
While I love shopping online it was nice to be able to hang out in my happy place for a little while. I've said it before but I mean it now when I say this will probably be my last book splurge for a while.
***
Have you bought any new books lately? What did you get?
June 28, 2017
"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #81
I can't tell you how addicted I am to the book I'm reading this "WIR"-Wednesday! It's the sequel to a book I haven't yet read but I was able to jump right in with no problem! I'm reading...
Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
Blurb:
In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?
Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.
Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far: I've been dying to read this book since I first saw the cover and when I read an excerpt online I was even more eager. I was lucky enough to win an ARC in a giveaway and I started it almost as soon as I received it! It's such an easy book to read and I love the story.
Hunting Prince Dracula (Stalking Jack the Ripper #2) by Kerri Maniscalco
Blurb:
In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.
But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.
Why I Chose This Book | What I Think So Far: I've been dying to read this book since I first saw the cover and when I read an excerpt online I was even more eager. I was lucky enough to win an ARC in a giveaway and I started it almost as soon as I received it! It's such an easy book to read and I love the story.
June 27, 2017
{Release Day Blitz} Through the Fog by Taylor Fenner
It's a special release day for me! Through the Fog and Eternal Fire: An Eternals Trilogy Novelette are available now! Fans of the trilogy will love the conclusion of Lizette's story!
Through the Fog
Eternals Trilogy #3
Taylor Fenner
YA Urban Fantasy
June 27, 2017
Blurb: Two Souls
After Thierry traps Luke in a coma-like slumber with the help of a powerful Voodoo priestess, Lizette, Sam, Keiran, Finn, and Wes must leave New Orleans and journey through the fog to the mythical Garden of Eden.
One Unbreakable Binding
There Claudette tells them they must harvest the blood of a rare animal native only to the Garden of Eden which contains the only antidote to Luke’s curse. They’ll have to hurry back to deliver the antidote before the binding that merges Luke and Lizette’s powers kills Lizette from being so far away from Luke.
If One Dies, So Does the Other
Where is the Garden of Eden? How can they be so sure that it even exists? Lizette will need the help of all of her friends as they travel through war-torn countries and battle mythical creatures that guard the Garden of Eden and the mysteries trapped within.
It’s More Than a Hunt for the Antidote; It is a Fight for Survival.
Will they get the antidote to Luke in time? Or have they come across the one curse strong enough to destroy an Eternal? Find out in the stunning conclusion to the Eternals Trilogy.
BONUS: eBook and Paperback INCLUDE EXCLUSIVE ETERNALS NOVELETTE "ETERNAL FIRE"
Blurb: Two years before Out of Darkness, eighteen-year-old Finn Madigan is your average teenage guy. He has friends, cuts an obscene amount of class, and has hooked up with nearly every girl in the senior class. But Finn has a secret - he's an Elemental, a person capable of creating bursts of fire and spouts of water from thin air.
Finn just wants to bide his time in his hometown, Ishpeming, Michigan, until he graduates and can put as much distance between himself and the town, his parents, and his perfect brother as possible.
Then he meets a green-haired beauty named Arianthe and everything changes. Finally, Finn has someone who understands what he's going through and before he knows it he's falling in love.
But like William Shakespeare said, the course of true love never did run smooth. Can Finn hang on to Arianthe? Or will his brother Keiran steal her away?
Add to Goodreads
Buy Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords
About the Author (me)
Taylor Fenner grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. She's been an avid reader with a vivid imagination since she was very young. Most of her childhood can be described as having her nose stuck in one book or another. She's a strong believer in ghosts and the paranormal, which led to her interest in writing paranormal romance. Since then she has branched out into Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, and Fairy Tale Retelling
An admitted workaholic, when not working on a novel Taylor spends most of her time blogging about books, taking photos for her bookstagram account, binge watching her favorite shows, and listening to music that's sure to ruin her hearing eventually.
Taylor still currently lives in Wisconsin, not far from where her debut novel The Haunting Love is set. Taylor is the author of The Haunting Love, Finding Elizabeth, Out of Darkness (Eternals Trilogy #1), Into the Light (Eternals Trilogy #2), Through the Fog (Eternals Trilogy #3), Eternal Fire: An Eternals Trilogy Novelette, and her upcoming releases, YA High Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling, CurseBreaker and her New Adult debut, Headless, a contemporary reimagining of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
You can connect with Taylor online: Website: http://www.taylorfenner.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taylorfennerwritesTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/taylorfenner Blog: http://taylorfenner.blogspot.comGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/taylorfennerInstagram: http://instagram.com/taylorfennerwritesNewsletter Sign-Up: http://eepurl.com/bQXtEj
Bonus!! As an added surprise, OUT OF DARKNESS (Eternals Trilogy #1) will be free NOW-JULY 1ST Exclusively on SMASHWORDS
Take me to the sale: Click Here
Through the FogEternals Trilogy #3
Taylor Fenner
YA Urban Fantasy
June 27, 2017
Blurb: Two Souls
After Thierry traps Luke in a coma-like slumber with the help of a powerful Voodoo priestess, Lizette, Sam, Keiran, Finn, and Wes must leave New Orleans and journey through the fog to the mythical Garden of Eden.
One Unbreakable Binding
There Claudette tells them they must harvest the blood of a rare animal native only to the Garden of Eden which contains the only antidote to Luke’s curse. They’ll have to hurry back to deliver the antidote before the binding that merges Luke and Lizette’s powers kills Lizette from being so far away from Luke.
If One Dies, So Does the Other
Where is the Garden of Eden? How can they be so sure that it even exists? Lizette will need the help of all of her friends as they travel through war-torn countries and battle mythical creatures that guard the Garden of Eden and the mysteries trapped within.
It’s More Than a Hunt for the Antidote; It is a Fight for Survival.
Will they get the antidote to Luke in time? Or have they come across the one curse strong enough to destroy an Eternal? Find out in the stunning conclusion to the Eternals Trilogy.
BONUS: eBook and Paperback INCLUDE EXCLUSIVE ETERNALS NOVELETTE "ETERNAL FIRE"
Blurb: Two years before Out of Darkness, eighteen-year-old Finn Madigan is your average teenage guy. He has friends, cuts an obscene amount of class, and has hooked up with nearly every girl in the senior class. But Finn has a secret - he's an Elemental, a person capable of creating bursts of fire and spouts of water from thin air.
Finn just wants to bide his time in his hometown, Ishpeming, Michigan, until he graduates and can put as much distance between himself and the town, his parents, and his perfect brother as possible.
Then he meets a green-haired beauty named Arianthe and everything changes. Finally, Finn has someone who understands what he's going through and before he knows it he's falling in love.
But like William Shakespeare said, the course of true love never did run smooth. Can Finn hang on to Arianthe? Or will his brother Keiran steal her away?
Add to Goodreads
Buy Links:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Smashwords
About the Author (me)
Taylor Fenner grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. She's been an avid reader with a vivid imagination since she was very young. Most of her childhood can be described as having her nose stuck in one book or another. She's a strong believer in ghosts and the paranormal, which led to her interest in writing paranormal romance. Since then she has branched out into Urban Fantasy, High Fantasy, and Fairy Tale RetellingAn admitted workaholic, when not working on a novel Taylor spends most of her time blogging about books, taking photos for her bookstagram account, binge watching her favorite shows, and listening to music that's sure to ruin her hearing eventually.
Taylor still currently lives in Wisconsin, not far from where her debut novel The Haunting Love is set. Taylor is the author of The Haunting Love, Finding Elizabeth, Out of Darkness (Eternals Trilogy #1), Into the Light (Eternals Trilogy #2), Through the Fog (Eternals Trilogy #3), Eternal Fire: An Eternals Trilogy Novelette, and her upcoming releases, YA High Fantasy Fairy Tale Retelling, CurseBreaker and her New Adult debut, Headless, a contemporary reimagining of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
You can connect with Taylor online: Website: http://www.taylorfenner.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taylorfennerwritesTwitter: http://www.twitter.com/taylorfenner Blog: http://taylorfenner.blogspot.comGoodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/taylorfennerInstagram: http://instagram.com/taylorfennerwritesNewsletter Sign-Up: http://eepurl.com/bQXtEj
Bonus!! As an added surprise, OUT OF DARKNESS (Eternals Trilogy #1) will be free NOW-JULY 1ST Exclusively on SMASHWORDS
Take me to the sale: Click Here
