Leaving Time.

☆☆☆☆☆

leaving time

jodi picoult.

 Publisher :Ballantine Books

Publication Date:October 14,2014

Genre:Paranormal Mystery

Format|Pages:Hardcover|416

 Source: Library| Goodreads

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.



Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.



As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. 

ϟ

I been reading Picoult novels since my college years, I always look forward to her books every year. After reading Leaving Time I got say that it’s one of most moving, emotional books that I read by her. I was blown away by Jenna, Serenity and Alice’s story. I felt like I learned so much more about things that I wasn’t aware of, in this case, Elephants and their behaviors. I always loved Elephants, to me they are fascinating animals but once I read Leaving Time, I learned so much more. To me, it was much more of educational experience book as well. That’s what I love about Jodi, you engage in her story from the start to the end. Story isn’t only what keeps you on going but the characters; you start to think of them as actual people that you care about. Leaving Time wasn’t any different, I was so observed in each of their stories, and it was real to me. I got so into the story, that there were couple nights that I stayed up late, because I lost track of time because I was eager to see what was to come next. Leaving Time is a story for any mystery, fantasy fans.




I always enjoyed reading Jodi’s books when she wrote it in multiple people’s point of view. It’s a way that a reader gets to know each of character better. If someone asked me to pick a favorite one, I wouldn’t be able to because I loved every single one of them. Alice, Serenity, Virgil and Jenna all had their own stories and all of them so different. Jenna did annoy me a bit in the beginning of the story, just when she started looking for her mother. I understand that she wanted find her, wanted to know what happened but she acted like a brat. I wouldn’t want to help her if I was in Serenity’s situation; I was actually surprised that both her and Virgil decided to help her at all. From beginning I had my suspicion that whatever they find, wouldn’t end well. I was right; however it was far thing from what I had suspected it to be.






Picoult is famous for her unexpected twists, which are what I actually love about her novels. Leaving Time wasn’t any different, but way that she twisted it. Wow. When I read it at first, I thought that maybe I didn’t read it right so I went to read it again, and I believe that my jaw actually dropped open. Both of them Jenna and Virgil were real, at least to me they felt real. Everything that they did, and Jenna communicated with her grandmother, wrote bike, talked on her phone, how could that not be real? I didn’t want to believe it, no I couldn’t believe it that all this time she been talking to ghosts. All this time I was sure that it was Alice that had died. What happened to Jenna was tragic and unfair too. She was 3 years old. And all this years she didn’t even realize it. Guess Serenity was a better Psychic than she though. I could tell it hurt her too, it came as shock to her, she gotten attached to both of them. The ending made me tear up.



Leaving Time deals a lot with family, loss, love. It has quite lot mystery, suspense with paranormal mix. Despite being fiction, it was an inspirational book to me. I am going to miss the characters. I can’t wait to see what Picoult comes up with next.

Unresisting(The Unresiting Triology,#1)

☆☆☆☆☆

Unresisting

Unresisting Trilogy,#1

shane morgan. 

 Publisher :Amazon Publishing.

Publication Date:November 28,2014

Genre:YAFantasy| Romance.

Format|Pages:EBoook|330.

 Source: Recieved ARC copy from author, in exchange of review.

Seventeen-year-old Natasha Johnson is having a rough year. Her twin brother, Sean, died last spring after a car crash, and her parents have decided to pack up and leave the only home she’d ever known. It's been a lot to take in, and Nat has decidedly given up on the world... until moving to Stetson Valley and meeting high school outcast: Chace Owens. 

Chace's dark and mysterious aura is not exactly seen as 'normal', but Nat already knows that not a lot of things are of the norm when it comes to her life. She soon finds herself unable to escape Chace's strange pull on her heart, unleashing a sudden attraction to the unnatural forces that have always been burning within her. But uncovering her true self brings forth great danger, as Nat learns that her brother's death had a lot more to do with the side she's now unable to resist. 

Can Natasha calm the blazing flames and withstand the threat of danger, or will this new found power destroy her? 

ϟ  

 

 

First, I wanted to thank my friend Shane for providing me with ARC copy of her book, in exchange for review. Unresisting was a book that I been wanting to read for while, so was happy when she contacted me, asking me if I like an e copy. It’s safe to say that after reading it, I fell in love with Shane Morgan’s novels even more. From moment I picked up the book, I was hooked into the story, it was unlike any fantasy that I read before. It was unique, the characters were out of this world, especially Nat & Chace. Unresisting is a story that you can’t help but get hooked into, a story that will keep you on edge of seat from start to the end. Each chapter, each page will have you eager for more. Once I reached the end, it had me wishing that the next book was out so I can see what happens with Natasha next. How can you not? Especially after a twist like that at the end? I don’t just want to see what happens next, I need to know what happens next. 



It’s hard to not like Nat or Chace. At first when I met Chace I wasn’t sure what to think off him, I had a feeling that there was something not quite right about him. It just feeling I got about how he acted around Natasha at first. Right from start I could tell he was hiding something. I wondered right from beginning if he knew what Nat was just by the way that he watched her. Though she didn’t see it at first or at least I didn’t get feeling that she did, I could see the connection between the two of them. What I loved about her, she didn’t judge him like everyone else seemed to. I found myself rooting for them as the book progressed; I saw how much the two of them cared for one another. What the two of them have is true love. Now Jesse I had mixed feelings about, at times I liked him, others not that much. His attitude is what put me off most of time. At first I was sure he was nice to her, because he is used to getting what he wants, but as time passed, I could see that he cares for her, even though he shouldn’t have. 



Story and the characters wasn’t only what I loved about book. The action was amazing too, there wasn’t a moment in the book where there wasn’t something going on. It was my type of book, this is what I love about Fantasy books. The cover was absolutely stunning; I believe that it would be one of first things that would capture anyone’s attention. Just look at it. It fits the story, the title. Of course the title is captivating as well. I know that this is fantasy but it felt real to me, I felt like I went onto journey along with Nat, like I connected with everyone when she did. I connected with her, and I believe that is one of main reasons why I fell in love with the story. I’m grateful that I have received an early copy. Shane Morgan took my breath away, and is one author that is going go far. She inspires me. If I could I would give this book more than 5 stars. A book worth picking up, a thrilling ride.

Book Blitz: Unresisting By Shane Morgan.

Welcome to the Unresisting book blitz hosted by itching for books. This is the first in a YA Supernatural trilogy.

Series: The Unresisting #1
Release date: November 28th 2014
Purchase: Amazon

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Seventeen year old Natasha Johnson is having a rough year. Her twin brother, Sean, died last summer after a car crash, and her parents decided to pack up and leave the only home she’d known all her life. It's a lot to take in, and Nat has decidedly given up on the world, until moving to Stetson Valley and meeting high school ‘outcast’, Chace Owens.

Chace's dark and mysterious aura is not exactly seen as 'normal', but Nat already knows that not a lot of things are of the norm when it comes to her life. She soon finds herself unable to resist Chace's strange pull on her heart, unleashing a sudden attraction to the unnatural forces that have always been burning within her. But with uncovering her true self brings forth great danger, as Nat learns that her brother's death had a lot more to do with the side she's unable to resist.

Can Natasha calm the blazing flames and withstand the threat of danger, or will this new found power destroy her?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Shane Morgan is a bestselling author of contemporary romance, suspense, and urban fantasy. She lives in the beautiful town of Narragansett, Rhode Island with her amazing husband, who doesn't mind being surrounded by books, or inspiring the male characters in her stories. Aside from writing, Shane enjoys blogging, reading, listening to indie music and watching movies.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

EXCERPT

After releasing a long breath, Chace pulled back on the road and continued driving in silence.

I wanted so badly to clear the air. “Chace,” I started. “I—Ah!” 

Something ran into us. The tires screeched against the asphalt. Chace tried to regain control of his Mustang, but it was no use. We flipped over. 

Luckily, we were both wearing seatbelts. Safety first! Dad would be proud. Was it really the seatbelts that saved us, or the fact that we were both abnormal?

Stars danced before my eyes. I could hear Chace trying to free himself to get us out of the car.

“Nat, are you okay? There’s something—” his voice trailed. A loud bang resounded above our heads. Something pounded on the bottom, which was now the top since we were upside down. Whatever it was relentlessly hammered on the car. 

Chace pried himself from the seat and got me loose. We managed to climb out my window, only seconds before the car got flung over to the other side of the road. 

Our mouths opened wide in shock; it stood before us, eyes blood red with scales all over its arms and legs. A beast you couldn’t even describe as being straight out of a storybook, because such an ugly thing had never been portrayed before.

The beast growled, foam dripping from the corners of its mouth. It was gigantic. I almost pissed myself at the sight.

“What the hell is that?” I managed to ask.

Chace gripped my hand tightly and yelled, “Run!” 

We darted into the woods, the beast right at our backs. We managed to put some distance between us as it crashed into trees and jerked itself. Still, it wouldn’t let up. It just kept coming.

We ran deep into the forest. I started panting. My right ankle ached. I made it a few more feet when my knees buckled and I fell. 

Chace dropped down fast and tried pulling me up. “C’mon, Nat, it’s getting closer. Get up!” he shouted. 

I couldn’t move. I was exhausted, emotionally and physically. My legs were cramping so much.

My throat felt parched and my voice came out rasped as I uttered, “I can’t.” I pushed him to go on. His grasp only tightened. 

His eyes expanded. “Are you crazy? I’m not leaving you. Come on!” He pulled me up and I hopped with him over to a large redwood tree, nuzzling up to the crusty root as the beast drew close. I knew it was only a matter of time before it found us. My heart was beating so loud a deaf person could hear it.

I covered my mouth and pressed into Chace. We stood still as he wrapped his arms around my body in protective mode. 

The beast stopped running and began searching the area, sniffing out our scents like a dog.

Great! It’s definitely going to find us now. 

The grotesque-looking creature treaded up behind the tree where we hid. Chace and I crouched quietly, staring at each other, mystified. 

Everything went really still, like the part of the movie where there was absolutely no music in the background, not even the sound of breathing, and you knew something was about to happen.

Unable to hear the beast at all, we gave each other a perplexed glance over. Then suddenly, it pushed its head around the tree and growled at us. 

Instantly, Chace pushed me to the ground and flung himself over me. The beast raised a hand to stomp on him and I screamed, “No!” 

Flames sprang out of my chest toward it. Its hand caught on fire and the beast backed away fast, snarling horridly and flashing its hand to put out the flames. I eased myself from beneath Chace and rose to my feet. He grabbed me. 

“Nat, what are you doing?” 

I brushed him off and edged closer to the beast. My insides filled with unbelievable power. It gave me such a rush. A desire I’d never felt before. I loved it. I yearned for more flames to appear, and obediently, my whole body lit up. This time it blazed more, so much more.

The beast spun around and made a low, guttural sound of anger at my presence. It charged at me, and I sent huge balls of fire from both my hands until its entire body was engulfed in flames. It groaned in agony and fell to the ground, creating an enormous tremor. Vibrations rushed the area, throwing me backwards. I tumbled to the ground as the beast exploded, showering the ground with burnt flesh. 

When my flames finally cooled, my body was drenched in sweat. I stood, though I was exhausted. 

Chace looked at me with amazement painted across his face. He started walking toward me. Before he could reach me, I became dizzy and collapsed right back to the ground.

Darkness awaited my return.

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The Geography Of You & Me.

☆☆☆☆☆

The Geography Of You & Me. 

Jennifer E. Smith.

 

 Publisher :Poppy

Publication Date:April 15,2014

Genre:YA Cotemporary Romance|Adventure

Format|Pages:Hardcover|337

 Source: Goodreads|Library.

Lucy and Owen meet somewhere between the tenth and eleventh floors of a New York City apartment building, on an elevator rendered useless by a citywide blackout. After they're rescued, they spend a single night together, wandering the darkened streets and marveling at the rare appearance of stars above Manhattan. But once the power is restored, so is reality. Lucy soon moves to Edinburgh with her parents, while Owen heads out west with his father. 

Lucy and Owen's relationship plays out across the globe as they stay in touch through postcards, occasional e-mails, and -- finally -- a reunion in the city where they first met. 

A carefully charted map of a long-distance relationship, Jennifer E. Smith's new novel shows that the center of the world isn't necessarily a place. It can be a person, too. 

☕

‘ When there was nothing but space between you, everything felt like a leap’ What Owen and Lucy had was love, even if they wouldn’t admit it at first. That quote right there, I knew how much she meant to him, how much the two of them cared about one another. It had me smiling. The Geography Of You & Me wasn’t just a love story, it was a travel story, a long distance love story. It was magical. I have read other two books by Smith before this one, but this one is my favorite. There wasn’t anything that I could find wrong about this book, despite some negative reviews. Once again Smith captured the romance so well, I saw it all. The travel, the communications that they had between each other. Smith writes one of best YA contemporary romances, everything that I loved about romance, relationships. Geography Of You & Me is a story that a reader will keep with them, after finishing it. I finished it recently and I still find myself thinking about it. 



Lucy & Owen’s relationship was interesting, if you can call it that (Sometimes I wasn’t sure what it was). Fact that they met during blackout in an elevator, which what made it even more fascinating than the usual love stories that you read. To me it felt like they were there for at least half of the night. Because by the time that two of them were rescued from the elevator, they formed a bond. Who else tours a dark New York City? I know that if it was me, I would totally freak out. The two of them looked calm, maybe it was because they had each other. I was eager to see how these long distance relationships work out, it tends not to work well in the end. Despite everything that two of them went through, the moving, the travel, the postcards, jealousy, fights. In the end they found a way to each other. I had a big smile on my face when I reached the ending. It what I was waiting for through most of the book. I did wonder what would happen when two of them would have go back. Then I knew they make it, they made it through so much. 



Loved idea of postcards as idea for communication. That’s usually how I do it when I travel, I would send postcard to friends, family. I love getting those too. It’s not often when you read a novel where teens don’t communicate through cell or some sort of social media. It’s the idea that made Geography Of You & Me different from others. I loved how it shifted from Owen to Lucy, the readers get to explore where both of them were and you can’t help but wonder where they would end up next. I love any novels that have anything to do with a travel, how can you not? The descriptions were so vivid of their adventures that afterwards I wanted to go explore where they have been. I was actually jealous of where they were traveling. I wanted to go there and explore along with them. Fact that it wasn’t only a love story but an adventure story, made it so much more interesting. It was wonderful. 


If you love romance, adventure you will love Geography Of You & Me. Moment you pick it up; you won’t want to put it down till the end. Afterwards you’ll want to pick it up and read it over again, because you don’t want their story to end. I didn’t. A love story that deserves more than 5 stars. 


A true love story you won’t forget.

Sisters' Fate ( The Cahill Witch Chronicles,#3)

☆☆☆☆☆

sisters' fate

Cahill Witch Chronicles,#3

jessica spotswood.

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Publication Date:August 14,2014

Genre:YA Fantasy| Romance|Adventure

Format|Pages:Hardcover|360

Source: Goodreads|Library.

A fever ravages New London, but with the Brotherhood sending suspected witches straight to the gallows, the Sisters are powerless against the disease. They can’t help without revealing their powers—as Cate learns when a potent display of magic turns her into the most wanted witch in all of New England. 

To make matters worse, Cate has been erased from the memory of her beloved Finn. While she’s torn between protecting him from further attacks and encouraging him to fall for her all over again, she’s certain she can never forgive Maura’s betrayal. And now that Tess’s visions have taken a deadly turn, the prophecy that one Cahill sister will murder another looms ever closer to its fulfillment. 

✈ ✈

 

No. Is it really over? I don’t want it to come to an end. Part of me didn’t want to come to end because I knew that afterwards it be the end of the story, but on the other hand I was curious to see how it will all come to end. I felt like I was going along on sister’s journey all the way to the end. I am going to miss them, especially Tess and Cate. It’s hard not to love those two. I disliked Maura through most of this book, till the very end. She saved Cate, I was starting to believe that she didn’t care about her sister, that she only cared about the sisterhood. I hated way that she acted around her; did she not realize that she broke her heart when she erased Finn’s memory of her? There was a lot more anger between the two sisters in this book, I wondered if they would actually get past it. As book progressed, had the feelings that it wouldn’t. By end however, it was hard for me to dislike Maura, despite what she done, how she acted around Cate. She loved her. 


Finn was one character I was curious about, considering how the last book ended. It was a bit sad that he didn’t appear that much in final book, like he did in the other two. He seemed different when he did appear, To me, he didn’t seem to be the same Finn that I remembered before his memory was erased. However I still loved the connection between the two of them. It wasn’t the same as it was before. But whever there were together, and when they kissed I saw the sparks. There was hope that he would fall in love with her again. “ Cate, I cant say what you want to hear. Not yet. I want you to know that--when I do, I'll mean it. Completely. Irrevocably." That was my favorite quote that he said to her, and it had me smiling. Finn is one character that you love from start to end of series. 


Out of the entire series, Sisters Fate was my favorite. Loved everything about it, the story, the character and of course the cover was most gorgeous, in my opinion. It was pretty mysterious looking, how Cate was turned and looking towards the reader’s direction while the other two sisters are faced away. How can you not but help and wonder what it’s about? It’s a type book that any reader would pick up just for the cover, even if they didn’t read the other books in series before. I believe that it illustrates the storyline that was faced in this book, about all the sisters. That wasn’t only what I liked about the novel, also fact that it takes place back when witchcraft was illegal, not during present time. It’s what made this book different from the other witchcraft novels. I loved every minute, every scene of this book. It had me on edge of my seat till the very end. 


Cahill Witch Chronicles is about family, love, sacrifice and survival. A must read series for all ages. A series that will stay with you even after you read it. It’s magical.