Book Haul-March 2016

Hello dear Readers,

This is my book Haul for the month of March 2016. I'm sorry I have not posted a Book Haul here in so long but I always post them on my Instagram account. If you want to see my book hauls and more books and writing related things please visit my Bookstagram, you can find me as thecostaricanwriter.

Book Haul

• He Will Be My Ruin by K.A Tucker.
• Rebel of the Sands by Alwin Hamilton.
• Starflight by Melissa Landers.
• Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover.
• Maybe Not by Colleen Hoover.
• Your Perfect Life by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke.
• Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Paperback).
• You by Caroline Kepnes.
• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.
• The Dreamer by E.J. Mellow.

Wen

New Release Tuesday #34: March 29, 2016

Hello dear Readers,

This week, a contemporary novel for young readers, Summerlost by Ally Condie, International Bestselling Author of the Matched Series 

Title: Ally Condie

Genre: YA Contemporary

Author: Lyndsay Faye

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 29, 2016

Language: English

Hardcover: 272 pages
Meet the Author: Ally Condie
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A tender and compelling contemporary novel for young readers about facing loss and finding friendship, from Ally Condie, international bestselling author of the Matched series. 

 

“Kids are awesome. And they are diverse. There are children with different abilities and backgrounds and experiences, and every one of them deserves to find themselves in children's literature and to know that they matter.” –Ally Condie, on Summerlost

Sometimes it takes a new friend to bring you home. It's the first real summer since the accident that killed Cedar's father and younger brother, Ben. Cedar and what’s left of her family are returning to the town of Iron Creek for the summer. They’re just settling into their new house when a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike. Intrigued, Cedar follows him to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Soon, she not only has a new friend in Leo and a job working concessions at the festival, she finds herself surrounded by mystery. The mystery of the tragic, too-short life of the Hollywood actress who haunts the halls of Summerlost. And the mystery of the strange gifts that keep appearing for Cedar. 

 

Infused with emotion and rich with understanding, Summerlost is the touching new novel from Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched series that highlights the strength of family and personal resilience in the face of tragedy.

Wendy

Book Review: You: A Novel by Caroline Kepnes/Mystery-Thriller-Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

Below, my book review of You, A Novel by Carolines Kepnes. March's pick for our Novels at Night Instragram Book Club.

Title: You: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Publication Date: June 16, 2015

Genre: Mystery-Thriller-Suspense
Author: Caroline Kepnes 

Publisher: Atria

Language: English

Paperback: 448 pages

Buy Me: Amazon 
Meet the Author: Caroline Kepnes

Book Description

Praise for Caroline Kepnes and You:

“Hypnotic and scary.” —Stephen King

“I am RIVETED, AGHAST, AROUSED, you name it. The rare instance when prose and plot are equally delicious.” —Lena Dunham

From debut author Caroline Kepnes comes You, one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of 2014, and a brilliant and terrifying novel for the social media age.

When a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she’ll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting.

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

A terrifying exploration of how vulnerable we all are to stalking and manipulation, debut author Caroline Kepnes delivers a razor-sharp novel for our hyper-connected digital age. You is a compulsively readable page-turner that’s being compared to Gone Girl, American Psycho, and Stephen King’sMisery.

My Thoughts

First of all I want to say even though this was one of the most scariest and creepiest books I have ever read, I loved it. I absolutely loved the writing, the story, the plot, the characters, the pace, every single thing is this book is fantastic, very, very different from any other mystery, thriller I read before.

That being said, I think I have never been more upset with a character in a book as I was with Joe. 

You is the story of Joe and Beck and how his obsession for her takes him to very dark and dangerous places, situations. Told from the POV of Joe, Joe Goldberg is a psychopath, a stalker, a guy with a fucked up mind, a twisted mind. A manipulator, mentally sick, capable of everything, including killing, a fucked up guy who would do anything for the person he loves, yes, in his twisted mind he calls it love. I wanted to kill him, it was really annoying how he treats people, how he assumes everybody loves him and how he thinks he is in control of everything. I did not like how the whole thing feels, it is almost like he thinks he owns Beck, which is the female protagonist character. She is almost as twisted and crazy as Joe, just in a different way. How selfish and manipulative she is, like I said, in a different way, but it is very interesting to see how both personalities work together in the book and bring a lot to the story. 

Yes, I was and still am upset with Joe but I just love how real these characters are, how different the story is, how creepy the story is but how the Author manages to present such a unique story. Like I mentioned, this book really scared me but it is always wonderful to read a book with such a wonderful writing, plot, with characters that are believable and reliable in the sense that we can see them like they really are, with all their flaws and imperfections and there is that element of surprise, a book that makes you want to keep reading it, to know what is going to happen next.

You is for sure a book that I will never forget, one that I totally recommend not only if you like this kind of books but also if you want to read a very, very different story.

Hidden bodies was released on February 23, 2016 by Atria Books which is the continuation of You.

Wendy

Book Review: He Will Be My Ruin: A Novel by K.A.Tucker/Mystery-Thriller-Suspense

Hello dear Readers,

Below, my book review of He Will Be My Ruin: A Novel by K.A. Tucker.

Title: He Will Be My Ruin: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Publication Date: February 2, 2016

Genre: Mystery-Thriller-Suspense
Author: K.A. Tucker 

Publisher: Atria Books

Language: English

Hardcover: 352 pages

Buy Me: Amazon 
Meet the Author: K.A. Tucker

Book Description

“A nail-biting thriller...clever twists and turns will keep readers in suspense, and just when they think they have figured out what happened to Celine, the story veers in another direction.”—Publishers Weekly

“Tucker beguiles in this dark, twisty tale of lurid secrets, lavish lifestyles, and devastating loss. Once you start reading, you won’t stop.” —Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A woman who almost had it all . . .

On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.

Until he became her ruin.

On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.

My Thoughts

It was thanks to the Book Community on Instagram that I found out about this book and I'm glad I did. Every suspense, mystery, thriller I read brings something new and every day I like this genre more. He Will Be My Ruin is not the exception. A unique story, a plot twist I was not expecting, a book that kept me guessing from the beginning to the end. My first K.A. Tucker book and I loved it.

What is this book about? In a few words

A woman who almost had it all . . .

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Until he became her ruin.

Just the right words for me to read it. To keep reading until the end.

Things I like about the book. I like how addictive and interesting the story is. I could not stop reading it. I like how well written the book is, how you can tell the Author did her job and every single detail in the story has a reason to be there. I like how the book is divided in chronological chapters, most of them have a date on it, not too short, not too long, with just the right pace and personally this made it easier for me to keep up with the events. I like how the plot twist surprised me. I was sure I knew who did it but at the end it was not who I thought. I like the characters, specially Maggie, a strong and believable character, a heroine, a person who would do anything for her friend, and that is exactly what she does for Celine, who she considers her best friend. She is willing to do whatever it takes to find out what really happened to her friend and her death. I like the writing, the way the story is presented, kept me wondering what was going to happen next. I like how the female characters are portrayed. Strong, independent, pursuing their dreams and do what they love. For Celine maybe that was harder to accomplish but at the end they have clear understanding what they want but at the same time we can see their flaws, their insecurities, their fears, that makes a character not only believable but human. I like how the Romance aspect is incorporated in the story, how it perfectly fits and works. We see the dynamics and relationships between the characters and that brings a lot to the story. 

What I did not like? Well, I think what most readers dont like. When we get to that last page and we know the story ends, more frustraring when we like the book a lot.

Overall, He Will Be My Ruin is a fantastic Suspense/Mystery/Romance which I totally recommend if you love this genre or are just looking for a great book to read.

Wendy

Upcoming Release #10: The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Hello dear Readers,

A few months ago I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke. I read it and loved it. It is such a beautiful story. It has a magical touch but very real at the same time. Makes you appreciate life more, to be thankful for what you have and live life like there is no tomorrow but above all to be grateful for the people in your life and that you can always learn something even from the bad things that happen in life.

Releasing on April, 26, 2016, The Year We Turned Forty is one of my most anticipated releases this year, one that I totally recommend and I hope you guys will give it a chance.

I'll be posting my full review here on the blog and Goodreads on Release Date.

Title: The Year We Turned Forty: A Novel

Rating: 5/5 Stars

Genre: Women's Fiction

Author: Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: April 26, 2016

Language: English

Paperback: 336 pages
Meet the Author: Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke
Pre-Order Me: Amazon
                            B&N

Book Description

If you could repeat one year of your life, what would you do differently? This heartwarming and hilarious novel from the authors of The Status of All Things and Your Perfect Life features three best friends who get the chance to return to the year they turned forty—the year that altered all of their lives, in ways big and small—and also get the opportunity to change their future.

Jessie loves her son Lucas more than anything, but it tears her up inside that he was conceived in an affair that ended her marriage to a man she still loves, a man who just told her he's getting remarried. This time around, she’s determined to bury the secret of Lucas’ paternity, and to repair the fissures that sent her wandering the first time.

Gabriela regrets that she wasted her most fertile years in hot pursuit of a publishing career. Yes, she’s one of the biggest authors in the world, but maybe what she really wanted to create was a family. With a chance to do it again, she’s focused on convincing her husband, Colin, to give her the baby she desires.

Claire is the only one who has made peace with her past: her twenty-two year old daughter, Emily, is finally on track after the turmoil of adolescence, and she's recently gotten engaged, with the two carat diamond on her finger to prove it. But if she’s being honest, Claire still fantasizes about her own missed opportunities: a chance to bond with her mother before it was too late, and the possibility of preventing her daughter from years of anguish. Plus, there’s the man who got away—the man who may have been her one true love.

But it doesn’t take long for all three women to learn that re-living a life and making different decisions only leads to new problems and consequences—and that the mistakes they made may, in fact, have been the best choices of all…

Wendy

New Release Tuesday #33: March 22, 2016

Hello dear Readers,

This week, a must read for lovers of Jane Eyre, dark humor, and mystery. Jane Steele: A Novel by Lyndsay Faye.

Title: Jane Steele

Genre: Mystery-Thriller-Suspense

Author: Lyndsay Faye

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: March 22, 2016

Language: English

Hardcover: 432 pages
Meet the Author: Lyndsay Faye
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

A reimagining of Jane Eyre as a gutsy, heroic serial killer, from the author whose work The New York Times described as “riveting” and The Wall Street Journal called “thrilling.” 

“A thrill ride of a novel. A must read for lovers of Jane Eyre, dark humor, and mystery.”

—PopSugar.com

“Reader, I murdered him.” 

A sensitive orphan, Jane Steele suffers first at the hands of her spiteful aunt and predatory cousin, then at a grim school where she fights for her very life until escaping to London, leaving the corpses of her tormentors behind her. After years of hiding from the law while penning macabre “last confessions” of the recently hanged, Jane thrills at discovering an advertisement.  Her aunt has died and her childhood home has a new master: Mr. Charles Thornfield, who seeks a governess.

Burning to know whether she is in fact the rightful heir, Jane takes the position incognito, and learns that Highgate House is full of marvelously strange new residents—the fascinating but caustic Mr. Thornfield, an army doctor returned from the Sikh Wars, and the gracious Sikh butler Mr. Sardar Singh, whose history with Mr. Thornfield appears far deeper and darker than they pretend. As Jane catches ominous glimpses of the pair’s violent history and falls in love with the gruffly tragic Mr. Thornfield, she faces a terrible dilemma: can she possess him—body, soul, and secrets—without revealing her own murderous past? 

A satirical romance about identity, guilt, goodness, and the nature of lies, by a writer who Matthew Pearl calls “superstar-caliber” and whose previous works Gillian Flynn declared “spectacular,” Jane Steele is a brilliant and deeply absorbing book inspired by Charlotte Brontë’s classic Jane Eyre.

Wendy

World Poetry Day: March 21, 2016

Hello dear Readers,

Today is World Poetry Day. A celebration to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world. And for this reason i will be rereading my favorite Author and one of his best collection of Poems, Twenty Love Poems and a song of Despair by Pablo Neruda.

Poetry has always been an important and significant part of my life as a writer. I still remember the days where poetry was the only thing I wanted to write, i still do but my writing landscape has expanded a lot throughout the years. And Pablo Neruda will always be the Poet, my inspiration. I always recommend this collection of poems to those who want to read some of his work or simply are looking for amazing poetry to read. 

Im glad there are days like today where we can celebrate Poetry and all Poets that have died or are still live and his Poetry brings a legacy to this world.

Down below a link where you can find more information on World Poetry Day and also links on where to purchase the book.

Do you like poetry? How are you planning on celebrating this day?

World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day

Twenty Love Poems and a song of Despair

Wendy

Title and Synopsis Reveal: Crystal Crowned. Book Five on the Air Awakens Series

Hello dear Readers,

Recently I had the amazing experience of being introduced to the Air Awakens Series written by Author Elise Kova. A Young Adult Fantasy which I have heard nothing but great things and has been highly recommended to me. Im reading the first book, as I said I'm new to this amazing world but I can tell you I'm liking it a lot and cannot wait to read the other three books because it turns out the Title and Synopsis Reveal for Book Five in the Series was recently release and I want to be ready to continue in the Series.

If you have read the books, Im sure you are excited to know there is book five which the title and synopsis sound incredible. If you are new to the Series like me, please join me and embark yourselves in a great adventure.

Book Four, Water's Wrath is scheduled for release on April 26, 2016. 

This is the link to my previous post where you can find information for Books One to Four. Links to purchase them and the Author's Web Page.

• Introduction to the Air Awakens Series

Long live Solaris.

One bloodthirsty ruler has been overthrown by another, casting the shadow of death over the Solaris Empire. Vhalla Yarl stands upon the stage of fate, prepared to do battle one final time. Fragile alliances will be tested and new bonds will be formed as the world is reshaped. She fights as the champion of peace, but when the night is darkest will she be able to pay the price of a new dawn?

Wendy

Introduction to Air Awakens Series: Books One to Four

Hello dear Readers,

Recently I had the amazing experience of being introduced to the Air Awakens Series written by Author Elise Kova. A Young Adult Fantasy which I have heard nothing but great things and has been highly recommended to me. Im reading the first book, as I said I'm new to this amazing world but I can tell you I'm liking it a lot and cannot wait to read the other three books because it turns out the Title and Synopsis Reveal for Book Five was recently released and I want to be ready to continue in the Series. And look at the covers, aren't they just gorgeous?

In celebration of Water's Wrath release I will be hosting a giveaway here on my blog and Instagram. Details coming soon.

Author: Elise Kova

http://elisekova.com/

BOOK ONE

Amazon

A Library Apprentice, a Sorcerer Prince, and an Unbreakable Magic Bond…

The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and has been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of one of the most powerful sorcerers of them all—the Crown Prince Aldrik—she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she’s known, or eradicate her magic and remain as she’s always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla’s indecision could cost her more than she ever imagined.

BOOK TWO

Amazon

Soldier… Sorcerer… Savior… Who is Vhalla Yarl?

Vhalla Yarl marches to war as property of the Solaris Empire. The Emperor counts on her to bring victory, the Senate counts on her death, and the only thing Vhalla can count on is the fight of her life. As she grapples with the ghosts of her past, new challenges in the present threaten to shatter the remnants of her fragile sanity. Will she maintain her humanity? Or will she truly become the Empire’s monster?

BOOK THREE

Amazon

A woman awoken in air, a soldier forged by fire, a weapon risen from blood.

Vhalla Yarl has made it to the warfront in the North. Forged by blood and fire, she has steeled her heart for the final battle of the Solaris Empire’s conquest. The choices before Vhalla are no longer servitude or freedom, they are servitude or death. The stakes have never been higher as the Emperor maintains his iron grip on her fate, holding everything Vhalla still has left to lose in the balance.

BOOK FOUR

Amazon

Coming April 26, 2016

Librarian turned sorcerer. Sorcerer turned hero. Hero turned puppet.

The Solaris Empire found victory in the North and, at the cost of her heart and her innocence, Vhalla Yarl has earned her freedom. But the true fight is only beginning as the secret forces that have been lurking in the shadows, tugging at the strings of Vhalla’s fate, finally come to light. Nowhere is safe, and Vhalla must tread carefully or else she’ll fall into the waiting arms of her greatest foe. Or former lover.

Wendy

New Release Tuesday #32: March 15, 2016

Hello dear Readers,

This week, a Children's Book. The Girl in the Well is Me by Karen Rivers.

Title: The Girl in the Well Is Me

Genre: Children's Books-Growing Up-Self Esteem

Author: Karen Rivers

Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Publication Date: March 15, 2016

Language: English

Hardcover: 224 pages
Meet the Author: Karen Rivers
Buy Me: Amazon

Book Description

Longing to be one of the popular girls in her new town, Kammie Summers has fallen into a well during a (fake) initiation into their club. Now Kammie’s trapped in the dark, counting the hours, waiting to be rescued. (The Girls have gone for help, haven’t they?)

As hours pass, Kammie’s real-life predicament mixes with memories of the best and worst moments of her life so far, including the awful reasons her family moved to this new town in the first place. And as she begins to feel hungry and thirsty and light-headed, Kammie starts to imagine she has company, including a French-speaking coyote and goats that just might be zombies.

Karen Rivers has created a unique narrator with an authentic, sympathetic, sharp, funny voice who will have readers laughing and crying and laugh-crying over the course of physically and emotionally suspenseful, utterly believable events.

Wendy

Book Review: Wreck and Order: A Novel by Hannah Tennant-Moore /Women's Fiction

Hello dear Readers,

Below, my book review of Wreck and Order: A Novel by Hannah Tennant-Moore.

Title: Wreck and Order: A Novel

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Publication Date: February 9, 2016

Genre: Women's Fiction
Author: Hannah Tennant-Moore 

Publisher: Hogarth

Language: English

Hardcover: 304 pages

Buy Me: Amazon 
Meet the Author: Hannath Tennnat-Moore

Book Description

A boldly candid, raw portrait of a young woman's search for meaning and purpose in an indifferent world

Decisively aimless, self-destructive, and impulsively in and out of love, Elsie is a young woman who feels stuck. She has a tumultuous relationship with an abusive boyfriend, a dead-end job at a newspaper, and a sharp intelligence that’s constantly at odds with her many bad decisions. When her initial attempts to improve her life go awry, Elsie decides that a dramatic change is the only solution.

An auto-didact who prefers the education of travel to college, Elsie uses an inheritance to support her as she travels to Paris and Sri Lanka, hoping to accumulate experiences, create connections, and discover a new way to live. Along the way, she meets men and women who challenge and provoke her towards the change she genuinely hopes to find. But in the end, she must still come face-to-face with herself.

Whole-hearted, fiercely honest and inexorably human, Wreck and Order is a stirring debut that, in mirroring one young woman's dizzying quest for answers, illuminates the important questions that drive us all..

My Thoughts

Wreck and Order is one of these books that I wont ever forget. Is one of these books where everything is so well put together, space, description, characters, situations, writing style, but also one of these books where the characters, their voices play a key role on how the story develops. Unforgettable, reliable and believable characters, especially Elsie. 

I love that I could relate to her in different ways and what she goes through. 

I also love she is definitely not the typical heroine and liked reading and be able to know her and see her journey through her eyes, through the pages of this book. I think is very unique her journey to self discovery, what her place is and what she needs to do. I love how she is not afraid of calling things the way they are and show her feelings and emotions. 

I love how unique and different she is but how that makes her human. I liked the writing style, the pace and as mentioned before Elsie as a character is so different. 

Totally recommend this book.

Wendy