Release Day Celebration and ARC Review|| The Sound of Diamonds

Hello Readers!

As I told you a while ago, I’m back with a review of such a wonderful book that releases today! YAY! And, because of that, before I start the review I must say this: HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY, RACHELLE REA!

 

Cake for everyone to enjoy while you read the review!

 

So, remember a while ago, I mentioned how Heather Manning’s first book got me hooked on historical novels? Well, this book did something even better than get me hooked on a certain genre of books. The Sound of Diamonds fed my newfound addiction and I am very much okay with that!

 

The Sound of Diamonds is an AMAZING book, you guys! Like, you NEED this in your life.I just cannot deal! It’s too amazing!

 

*excuse me while I go cry over the beauty of this book*

In Reformation-era England, a converted rogue wants to restore his honor at whatever cost. Running from a tortured past, Dirk Godfrey knows he has only one chance at redemption.
An independent Catholic maiden seeking refuge in the Low Countries finds herself at the center of the Iconoclastic Fury. Jaded by tragedy, Gwyneth’s only hope of getting home is to trust the man she hates, and she soon discovers her poor vision is not the only thing that has been blinding her.
But the home Gwyneth knew is not what she once thought. When a dark secret and a twisted plot for power collide in a castle masquerading as a haven, will the saint and the sinner hold to hope…or be overcome?

*takes a deep breath so I can control my fangirling somewhat so this all makes sense*

Anyways. This book was absolutely amazing. I was instantly hooked and dragged right into the beautiful and amazing story.

What I loved most of all was how well Rachelle wrote Gwyneth’s struggle and the fight that went on in her mind as the journey went on. We were really shown how Gwyneth’s feelings towards the situation she finds herself in and towards other characters in the story and it all came out to be realistic and I really felt Gwyneth’s pain and her struggles. It was perfectly done.

While I’m here kind of tlaking about the characters, I must say that I LOVED them. Each character was unique and important and some were totally worthy of being fangirled over…I’m just sayin. (Oh how I want to give you all exact examples but it would ruin everything.)

As you might have gathered from the description, The Sound of Diamonds is set in the 1500s. At a time where, not only was the Reformation in full swing in Europe, but modern-day Holland was launching the Dutch Revolution because they no longer wanted to be ruled by Spain. The Sound of Diamonds starts right there in the turmoil of religious upheaval and political intrigue. The setting was amazing and I loved how within opening the book I was pulled right into the action of the story without fail. It is very rare I get into a story that quickly. Usually it takes me the first chapter to be completely hooked…but not with The Sound of Diamonds. With this book I was hooked within the first page.

Now, I can’t say I’ve been reading Historical Fiction for long..but I can say The Sound of Diamonds is my favourite Historical novel so far. I can also say that you also need a copy of this book right now.

And obviously, instead of stars, I must rate this book with Diamonds…I mean it’s fitting, is it not?

Advertisement

Happy Bookish Birthday to Sam Maggs || Fangirls Guide to the Galaxy Book Review

Hello Readers!

My book review is finally here! Today, I’m going to be reviewing Sam Maggs ‘The Fangirl’s Guide To The Galaxy’ since this lovely book released yesterday! I was going to post the review yesterday but didn’t finish by the time my family and I watched ‘The Flash’ cause homework took so long. (Sorry people but ‘The Flash’ is my favourite and I cannot miss a single episode!)

So, I must show you the book trailer for this wonderful book before we get started because it’s awesome.

Okay. Now that you’ve seen the book trailer, it’s time to review!

Fanfic, cosplay, cons, books, memes, podcasts, vlogs, OTPs and RPGs and MMOs and more—it’s never been a better time to be a girl geek. The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy is the ultimate handbook for ladies living the nerdy life, a fun and feminist take on the often male-dominated world of geekdom. With delightful illustrations and an unabashed love for all the in(ternet)s and outs of geek culture, this book is packed with tips, playthroughs, and cheat codes for everything from starting an online fan community to planning a convention visit to supporting fellow female geeks in the wild.

 

This book was…not what I expected. BUT I LOVED IT.

So, at first, I was worried it was going to have a very strong feminist view throughout the whole book. Now, before you all come charging at me with your pitchforks and torches and taking things the wrong way, let me explain. The reason I was worried about that was because there are just so many different points of view, opinions, and approaches to feminism that I really wasn’t sure what to think. But my worries were soon put to rest. Because….

THIS BOOK WAS SUPER FANTASTIC! Like so fantastic I underlined and highlighted the crap out of that book. Never once have I done that to a book but this book, there are highlights, underlines and sticky note bookmarked pages. (That’s how awesome it was people. So awesome that I actually UNDERLINED things in a book) Tons of quotable stuff or things I wanted to remember.

Want to know some awesome reasons that this book was so fantastic? Alright. Here is a list of why.

1. SOMEONE FINALLY SAID IT.

I was so happy that someone brought up the topic of how the media protrays women and/or relationships in a bad way that so clearly hint at the relationships being abusive and the girls themselves being abused. (Twilight and 50 Shades of Grey were a couple examples given.)

 

2. Con Survival

This book provided lists of Comic Convention survival and all the things you will need and should take with you as well as rules for conventions, things you must check out at a con and cosplay tips.

 

3. Comic Convention List

Basically, this book is like the ultimate fangirl checklist. This book had a whole chapter on different kinds of conventions! You like Anime? Its got a list. YA Books? Its got a list. Comics and Videogames? Another list of conventions

 

 

4. How To Meet Fellow Nerds/Geeks

Not only have I found many awesome authors or actresses who are fellow fangirls to follow on Social Media BUT I was also provided with tips (for my anti-social little self) on where to find other fangirls/geeks like myself! Fun stuff right? ….Though. I didn’t see Go Teen Writers on the list for the writers category…Hmmm.

 

5. Tips for FanFic Writing

…or just writing in general.

This awesome list had different options for the feel of a story, setting and characters. It’s almost like a mix and match generator and I shall be using it for my writing.

 

Who Here Loves Strong Heroines?

I do! Thats for sure. Another awesome thing about this wonderful book is that there is a long list of many different heroines from anime, video games, comics, and movies. And get this. All these heroines are strong, kick-butt characters who are just plain old awesome.

 

So basically, this book is awesome. Think no one understands you as a Fangirl? Yeah. THINK AGAIN.

 

Cover Reveal!

COVER REVEAL: AVENGING by Holly Kelly

By Olympus! We are excited to share the official cover reveal for the highly anticipated third book in the Rising Series by Holly Kelly. The Rising Series is an exciting paranormal romance filled with Greek Mythology, Mermaids, Dagonians, and more! Let us know what you think of the cover for Avenging by Holly Kelly. Avenging will be available on April 21, 2015.

New Adult- Paranormal Romance

Clean Teen Publishing

Available: April 21, 2015

Book #3 in the Rising Series

Two thousand years ago, King Triton witnessed the slaughter and total annihilation of his merchildren. He vowed then and there to never again father a child. Powerful and eternally youthful, Triton was no stranger to seduction. But his resolve was unwavering—until he met Nicole. Unable to resist the human woman, he found himself swept up in her arms. When he finally came to his senses, he abandoned her to return to his refuge in the sea.

Twenty years later, he comes face to face with his daughter. Triton is both thrilled and frightened to learn he’s a father. Meeting the child he never knew fills a void in his life. But at the same time, he once again finds his heart at risk. Even more terrifying, he’s forced to admit he’s still in love with Nicole. Gathering his courage, he leaves the sea to seek her out. But the pain he caused is not easily forgotten. And mending broken hearts should be the least of his worries. The elements are in commotion, threatening the utter destruction of mankind. And much to the sea god’s surprise, the human woman he loves may be the key to saving them all.

RISING (Book #1)

Available Now FREE!

 

In a war between the humans and the inhabitants of the sea—humans will lose. Xanthus Dimitriou—the most lethal Dagonian to rise from the ocean—is on a mission to save mankind from annihilation. But first there’s one small thing he needs to do… kill a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair.

Killing her doesn’t start out as part of his plan. He entrenches himself deep in the human world. Aligning himself with his enemies, he prepares to send them to Triton to face their punishment. Then Sara Taylor rolls onto the scene. Xanthus knows at once she’s a criminal. And her crime? Being born. She’s a human/Dagonian half-breed, an abomination. Killing her should be an easy job. All he has to do is break into her apartment, slit her throat, and feed her body to the sharks. Simple, right? Wrong. If only she weren’t so beautiful, so innocent, so sweet…

Saving the world may have to wait. It appears Xanthus has a woman to save. But protecting her may cost him his own life.

 

DESCENDING (Book #2)

Available Now! 

When Xanthus cashes in a long-standing favor, Kyros is faced with doing two things he thought he’d never do—protect a mermaid and live on land. Dagonians loathe mermaids and Sara, Xanthus’s wife, is no exception. Also, a Dagonian standing on human legs? As if being around the vile creatures responsible for polluting his home and killing his sister wasn’t horrible enough, Kyros has to deal with Sara’s troublesome human friend, Gretchen.

Kyros can’t help but resent Gretchen. Not only is she human and unforgettably gorgeous, but she leaves him swimming in confusion and feeling things he shouldn’t be feeling—least of all for a land-walker! When Gretchen is nearly killed by an assassin’s bullet, Kyros’s mission changes. He’s forced to become her protector. Forced is a gross exaggeration, though. The more time Kyros spends with Gretchen, the more he finds himself falling for this spunky, witty human. When it becomes apparent that something dark and evil will stop at nothing to see Gretchen dead, Kyros expends his resources to find out who that being is. Unfortunately, the answer causes more problems than it solves. When a rogue mermaid wants you dead, you’re safe from no one… not even the ones you love.