The Winter Soldier

After seeing this weekend the new Captain America film, Captain America: The Winter Soldier I knew I had to dedicate a BBM to The Winter Soldier. He is the villain in the film and his identity remains unknown almost till the end. And it was a shock, at least for me because I haven´t read the comics or seeing other films. So I am going to explain the character as I saw it in the film.

James Buchanan Barnes "Bucky" is the Winter Soldier, which I thought was impossible since he supposedly dead in the 1st Captain America film. But it seems that the Soviets found him in the ice with an arm missing, and  in that time looks like  it was a trend to kept valuable soldiers in cryogenic tanks. 

They transformed Bucky in a killer machine with a bionic arm, hard training and having the advantage that he had amnesia and he doesn´t know who he really is. He became a dangerous assassin and fought against his old time friend Steve Rogers aka, Captain America.

In the end The Winter Soldier seems to remember some traces of his old identity and saves Captain America though he disappears. I hope we will see more of this character in the next films since he is really sexy ;)

Raising Chaos Blog Tour: Review+ Giveaway

Title: Raising Chaos (Earthbound Angels #2) 

Author: Elizabeth Corrigan 

Synopsis: When good fails, chaos rises to the challenge. The daily life of a chaos demon is delightfully sinful—overindulging in Sri Lankan delicacies, trespassing on private beaches in Hawaii, and getting soused at the best angel bar on the planet. But when Bedlam learns that the archdemon Azrael has escaped from the Abyss in order to wreak vengeance against the person who sent her there—Bedlam’s best friend, Khet—he can’t sit idly by. Only one relic possesses the power to kill Khet, who suffers immortality at Lucifer’s request: the mythical Spear of Destiny, which pierced Christ’s side at His crucifixion. Neither angel nor demon has seen the Spear in two thousand years, but Azrael claims to know its location. Bedlam has no choice but to interpret woefully outdated clues and race her to its ancient resting place. His quest is made nearly impossible by the interference of a persnickety archivist, Keziel—his angelic ex—and a dedicated cult intent on keeping the Spear out of the wrong hands. But to Bedlam, “wrong” is just an arbitrary word, and there’s no way he’s letting Khet die without a fight.

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My Review:

I had the luck to read and review The Oracle of Philadelphia this month and I loved it, so I was thrilled when I discovered there was a 2nd book with a blog tour coming up. 

Raising Chaos is somehow different from the 1st book. It is narrated by three different characters, two of them we already met, Carrie and Bedlam and a new one Siren. I loved reading Bedlam´s chapters and that he has more importance in this book. Carrie or Khet as she is named for most of the book has more a role of secondary character, she narrated her life which is important for the plot development but instead of being an active player, she remains as an outsider. The last narrator is Siren, a mysterious Angel with a supernatural voice. I didn´t liked her chapters a lot, there were necessary to understand a lot of things from the story but they were kind of lacking of strength.

The ending left me speechless, I wanted it to happen but it was so suddenly that it took my breath away. I can´t wait to read the 3rd book to know more about Bedlam, Gabriel and Carrie. I really recommend it because it is an easy and refreshing reading full of adventures and mysteries that will surprise you in every page.

Giveaway:

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Review: On the Rocks

Title: On the Rocks (LAst Call #1) 

Author: Sawyer Bennett 

Synopsis: He left to travel the world for fame and glory, but only after spurning Gabby Ward and crushing her young heart. Now Hunter Markham has come back home to the sand and salty breeze of the North Carolina Outer Banks so he can open up Last Call, a beach bar nestled among the dunes of the Atlantic. Gabby Ward is not happy that Hunter has returned. Bitter over his rebuff years before, she’s content to stay far away from him and his dangerously charming ways. Gabby’s well-schemed plans to ignore Hunter go up in flames when he presents an offer to her that she simply can’t refuse, throwing them together in a common quest to each reach their goals. Working together day in and day out proves to be problematic for Gabby, who soon realizes that the feelings she had for him are still very much alive. Hunter struggles to reach through to Gabby’s cold heart, all while starting a new career away from his life as a top ranked, professional surfer. What starts out as a mutual business arrangement soon turns into a passion that neither of them can continue to deny. Hard choices lay ahead for both of them when Hunter is offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to return to the pro surfing tour. Choices that could destroy what they have built or take them further than they ever had dared to hope.

                                                                  Amazon

My Review: 

On the Rocks is an easy and light reading with a very interesting start that hooks you to the story.This is the first book I read of Sawyer Bennett and I really like her writing style.

It has a really hot main character, Hunter, with a very likeable female protagonist though I didn´t like Gabby´s behaviour in the end, is kind of understandable but I still didn´t liked it and the fact Hunter just let her go away didn´t fit with the image I had of Hunter.

On the Rocks has also wonderful secondary characters, there were times when I wanted to read more about Brody that about Hunter, can´t wait to read about Brody and Alyssa, the author was able to write a story while creating a lot of suspense around the upcoming couples.

It is a reading full of twists, sexual tension and funny moments. I really enjoyed reading On the Rocks and I can´t wait for the next book on this series!

Review: Tales of Ever

Title: Tales of Ever (Volumes 1-6) 

Author: Jen Wylie 

Synopsis: A few months ago, I was a normal girl. Life sucked, and just like everyone else, I took the simple things for granted. At least until I got this new power, a "gift" mom called it. Apparently, I'm a firestarter. I didn't want to be. I didn't ask to be. It would be cool if it wasn't so dangerous and I knew how to control it. When an uncle I'd never heard of showed up to take care of me after my mom died, I should have been grateful. As it turned out, my whole family isn't normal and more than a little bit crazy. I thought things couldn't get any worse. I was wrong. They banished me to Ever.

Amazon

My Review:

Jen Wylie´s narrative style is magical. She is able to transport you to Ever through her wickedly detailed writing. She keeps doing what she does best, creating wonderful and unforgettable stories.

As always, her characters are a master piece, they are complex, believable and inspiring. The trio of characters is formed by a brave and powerful heroine (Misha), a loyal best friend who ends up being something more (Jadus), and a fearless and fierce protector (Shade). Misha is the nucleus of the group while the boys are focused on her.

The book is set in Ever, a dangerous fantasy world that works as a kind of character because of its importance along the story. Ever is a prison, not the typical world full of rainbows and happiness, everyone there has been condemned to an existence of fighting trying to survive the dangerous world. Usually people don´t survive for very long periods but Misha is lucky enough to meet  Jadus on her first day in Ever and they share and instant connection forming a bond of friendship.

I am so happy that Jen decided to compile all the volumes in one book because I know wouldn´t have been able to wait for the next one. At the end of every tale you are left wanting more because of the tension she creates. There are some huge cliffhangers between volumes that left speechless, I almost had a heart attack at the beginning of volume 3, I have to admit that I cried a lot in that part. She is able to turn everything around in a couple of lines. She uses tension and twists so perfectly, there are some books from other authors where you know what is going to happen because they are so predictable but Jen always leave me breathless. Every time I read one of her books is like riding a rollercoaster of emotions and full of surprises while reading them and when you finish the book you are left wanting more.

Jen creates addictive stories, and before reading Tales of Ever I was obsessed with her writing but now my obsession has definitely grown up to further levels.  So yes, Tales of Ever is a must read suitable for a wide range of people because it doesn´t matter how old or young you are. Jen Wylie´s Tales of Ever is going to cast a spell on you and you won´t be able to stop reading it.

I would love to read more about Ever, to get to know more about Jadus, Misha and Shade. I also think it would be awesome if she narrated other characters stories set in Ever since it is a big world and we are left with some unresolved questions at the end of the book.

Review: Enjoying the Chase + Giveaway

Title: Enjoying the Chase 

Author: Kirsty Moseley 

Release Date: 25th March 2013 

Synopsis: Nate Peters is living the playboy life. He has great friends, a great job, no responsibilities, no girlfriend, and he loves it. Nate, being incredibly skilled with a pick-up line, has never failed to get a girl in his life… until one day he meets Rosie York. Rosie is completely uninterested in him. Being unable to stand a dented ego, Nate makes it his mission to win her over. Not used to putting in much effort, Nate is surprisingly enjoying the chase of this off-limits little brunette. Maybe he has finally met his match… But Rosie has a few surprises of her own which will make it remarkably more difficult for him to get close to her. *Please note that this is a companion novel to Nothing Left to Lose* 

Cover Design: https://www.facebook.com/mjwilsondesign1 

Tour Host: All Things Books (http://all-things-books.com)

Amazon UK | Amazon US | iBooks (Global) | B&N | Nook US | Nook UK

My review:

Enjoying the Chase is the companion novel of the masterpiece novel Nothing Left to Lose. I was lucky enough to read both of them when the author posted them on Wattpad and I have to say that I was glued to the screen for days. And it hasn´t changed because when I received my ARC of Enjoying the Chase I literally devoured it. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book so much that I talked about it to my friends a lot.

Both Nate and Rosie are introduced in NLTL as Ashton´s and Anna´s best friends though they haven´t met before. When Nate meets Rosie, it was instant attraction because Nate is well-known for his player antics and he couldn´t believe he was being rejected. The rejections scenes were pretty funny because being in Nate´s mind in general is pretty amazing.

The story is narrated in dual POV though Nate´s chapters are the ones that predominate, and from my point of view are the best ones because Nate´s evolution could be clearly appreciated and he is the funniest character I´ve ever read. Rosie´s chapter are also good because it is important to know her point of view and understand her reasons for turning Nate down. I definitely wouldn´t have fought against Nate, I certainly want to be chased by Nate.

In Enjoying the Chase we also get to know some more things about Ashton and Anna, which I absolutely love, I think I could read about them forever. While NLTL was mainly focused on Ashton and Anna, in ETC we get to know more about the families of Nate and Rosie. I loved Nate´s family, they are awesome, I would like to meet them and their crazy antics, they were hilarious!

Seeing Nate´s evolution to be the boyfriend Rosie needs while keeping his true identity was wonderful to read, it was really believable and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The author´s narrative is refreshing, light and fierce at the same time. She is able to portrayed a lot of different feelings so deeply into the story while keeping a light tone that it amazes me. She keeps doing what she does best, writing addictive stories with unforgettable and swoon worthy characters. I really love her male characters and how she portrays them. She makes readers fall in love with them and she gets into their heads perfectly.

I really, really recommend Enjoying the Chase because it is a sweet, funny and romantic book with some drama, there was a moment when I thought I was going to pass away from all the tension and action in one of the scenes, if you read it or have read it you´ll know which one I´m talking about.

So go and buy it! You won´t regret reading about Nate and Rosie.

Excerpt:

“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then. You’re still coming over for dinner?” Ashton asked curiously.
She’s going to their place for dinner tomorrow? Well this just gets better and better, maybe I’ll invite myself over too…
“Definitely” she answered, leaning in and hugging him again. “See you then.”
As she turned to walk off Ashton called her name, making her stop for a second time. “If you get in any trouble tonight and need any help then I’ll be here for a little while. When I go, you can still come to my friends, okay?” he said sternly.
Rosie’s eyes darted to me again, and I had time to smile this time before she looked away. “I have a feeling your friends are the trouble I’d need help with.” She winked at him and walked off through the crowd.
I stared after her in shock. I must have seriously lost my mojo – or was it just her? A quick experiment would tell. I turned to the nearest girl and smiled seductively. “Hi, I’m Mr Right. I heard you were looking for me,” I stated confidently. She giggled and blushed, nudging her friend. My whole body relaxed at her reaction. Clearly it was just Rosie that had no interest in me. Again, I wondered if the beautiful little brunette was a lesbian.
The girl I had used the pick-up line on was talking to me, but I wasn’t interested in her. I was too busy looking through the crowd, watching Rosie shake her little ass on the dance floor. I stared after her in shock, then with more than a hint of lust as she started to dance. I groaned and turned back to Ashton, ignoring the girl who was trying to get my attention.
“What’s the deal with her? She’s not interested in me at all!” I complained.
He laughed and gripped my shoulder, squeezing gently. “She’s not your type, Nate. Let it go.” He pushed me towards the bar again, shaking his head.
“Why not? Come on she’s a girl, she’s my type,” I countered, crossing my arms over my chest. The girl was seriously denting my ego.
“Nate, Rosie is Anna’s best friend and she’s an incredible person. She doesn’t deserve you dicking her around and using her. Let it go,” he replied.
I sighed and frowned. I could understand him not wanting me to hurt Anna’s friend, of course, but it was freaking annoying being told I wasn’t allowed to pursue her.
I desperately wanted to sleep with her. In a way, I needed to. There was an awful nagging sensation in the back of my head that told me that she would be playing on my mind for a long time if didn’t. I didn’t want to be imagining what it would be like to run my tongue down her body, I wanted to do it – maybe then I’d realise that it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. I only wanted her because she didn’t want me, at least, I hoped that was the reason I wanted her. It scared me a little just how much I longed for her. I was a player, my instincts were telling me to grab the nearest girl and take her out the back for some fun… but my eyes wouldn’t stop looking through the crowd for Rosie.
I forced my eyes away and looked at Ashton. “So you’re saying I can’t go over there and dance with her?”
“That’s what I’m saying. Go find some other girl and leave Anna’s friend alone.”
Cock blocked, damn.

My name is Kirsty. I was born in Hertfordshire, England. In 2000 I moved to Norfolk, it was there that I met my husband, Lee. Now, what can I say about Lee, apart from everyone should have one? He's my biggest supporter, and I wouldn't be where I am today without his encouragement and endless support. He is my inspiration behind most of my male leads, I always try to bring a little of him in somewhere, be it his kindness, selflessness, or just his ability to make me feel treasured. In 2005, I was gifted with the birth of my son. He is, and always will be, the best thing I have ever done in my life. As you can probably tell, I'm a very proud mummy. I have always been interested in writing, but after the birth of my son I accidentally came across an amateur writing site. After a couple of months of just reading on there, I finally plucked up the courage and posted one of my stories. I was shocked and overwhelmed by the support of readers on there and they gave me the confidence to get where I am today. In April 2012, I self-published my first novel ‘The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window’. And in October 2012 I took the plunge again, publishing my second novel, 'Always You.' Lastly, if I had to sum myself up in one word, it would probably be ‘daydreamer’ – but unlike most of my school teachers, I don’t necessarily view that as a bad thing. After all, I read somewhere once that books are like waking dreams….

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Giveaway:
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Top Ten Things on my Bookish Bucket List

-         -  Read and review at least one book of each author attending the Romance Authors & Readers Event signing in Edinburgh before July. When I started back in February it looked feasible but I´ve read 15 authors so far though I´m really behind regarding the reviews. They are pilling and pilling and there are 100 days left till the signing. Let´s hope for a miracle!

-        -  To have a nook and a library at home or at least have more and better shelves to keep my books. Nowadays the majority of them are stocked under my bed, which is a pity.

-        - To get the whole collection of books of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R.Ward.

-        - Achieve my year reading challenge, so far I´ve read 81/200. I´m on track!

-        - To review all the books I´ve read in a year, which is practically impossible because I read too fast and reviewing takes a lot of time. So nowadays I´m just reviewing books that I think my readers would like.

-        - To own the all the Earth´s Children books by Jean M. Auel.

-      -   I would like to have a bookish tattoo in the next years, though I still have to decide what I want.

-       -  To have the books of my favorite authors signed and meet them, like Jen Wylie, Charlotte McGonaghy, Nora Roberts, Kirsty Moseley and Jay Crownover among other.

-        - To read the whole set of books of Game of Thrones by because I knew that I´ll them so much that I wouldn´t be able to stop reading and I don´t have time.

-        - To own a book shop with an annexed café in my retirement years. So I really need to win the lottery.

   What´s on your bookish bucket list?

Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch)

       Hi, everyone! I’m soo excited about today’s BBM because we have one of my latest obsessions… the protagonist of the TV show Sherlock, Sherlock Holmes (duh), played by Benedict Cumberbatch.

       

       I had heard so many good things about this show and I have always loved Sherlock Holmes novels so the thought of watching it had been in my mind pretty much since it was released. But because I’ve been watching so many other shows and it is not a long show (only 3 episodes each season) I have postponed it until now. And man, I regret it.

It has been a while since I liked a TV show so much. For everyone out there who is a fan of Conan Doyle’s stories, please go and watch this extraordinary adaptation. I have even studied this in one of my lectures, on how the show has been able to adapt the XIX century detective into such a modern show.

       Now, to the bad boy. Ok, for those of you who have watched it, I know Sherlock is not ‘bad’; we actually have a really ‘bad boy’ in the show: Sherlock’s nemesis, Moriarty (Andrew Scott), on which I will probably do another BBM :P. But let’s face it, Sherlock is not a typical goody-two-shoes hero. He is a cold, calculating, extremely cunning detective, with a remarkable mind, a photographic memory and poor social skills. And I guess that is what makes him (at least for me)so irresistible: he is as clever as it gets but not interested in women whatsoever .

       

       So… yes, I declare myself completely in love with the character (it gets worse every episode xD) and I think Benedict Cumberbatch does an amazing job playing the part. Plus he has what has to be the sexiest voice on the planet!

“I’m not a psychopath, Anderson. I'm a high-functioning sociopath. Do your research."

Review: Bully

Title: Bully (Far Away #1) 

Author: Penelope Douglas 

Synopsis: My name is Tate. He doesn't call me that, though. He would never refer to me so informally, if he referred to me at all. We're neighbors, and once, we were best friends. But then, one summer, he turned on me and has made it his mission to screw up my life at every opportunity. I've been humiliated, shut out, and gossiped about all through high school. His pranks and rumors got more sadistic as time wore on, and I made myself sick trying to hide from him. I worried about what was around every corner and behind every door. So I left. I spent a year studying abroad and bathed in the freedom of life without Jared. Now I'm back to finish up high school and get the hell out of here forever. I'm hoping that after a year of breathing room, he's moved on and forgotten all about me. But even if he hasn't changed, I have. I'm not interested in avoiding him or turning the other cheek anymore. We're going to go head to head, because neither of us wants to back down.

Amazon

My review:

Bully is part of my RARE Event challenge and is the first book I´ve read by Penelope Douglas.

Since I read the synopsis I had a bad feeling about this book because I don´t like bullies and as I knew it would happen, this book made me get crazy in a bad way but also in a good way. When I finished it my head was a turmoil of mixed feelings.

As a reader I knew I had a problem when Jared appeared, he was completely hot but at the same time an awful person. And if you don´t like one of the main characters it is really difficult to enjoy the reading. Bullying, the main issue of the novel, is the thing that disturbed me the most about this book.

I think Jared should have man up and face his problems with Tate, if he couldn´t do it when his problems started then try later but bullying is never ok.

I liked Tate, I really liked that she is a strong character that knew that what Jared was doing was completely wrong, even if from the beginning we know they are going to end up together, the fact that she fights against it for most of the book, made her win some points.

I thought that after knowing  what was behind Jared´s behaviour I would understand him better, but no, I know what happened to him was fucked up but he could have done a lot of other things, I don´t see any logic in pushing away the most important person of your life and when he has decided he had enough just take her back, it was wrong in so many levels.

This book was kind of reading a child quarrel in teenage bodies but I don´t know the author narrates the story in a way that she makes you like he book, maybe is that the book is narrated from Tate´s POV and she was a strong character. Maybe if I read Until You I will understand Jared better than I do know.

To sum up this turmoil of ideas: I liked the book, well written, strong heroine, bad boy character with some fucked up ways to show it, some sweet moments, lots of sexual tension. And just to be clear bullying is wrong in every level, fight against it, don´t let other mistreat you, no matter their reasons, bullying should always be condemned.

Review: Oracle of Philadelphia

Title: Oracle of Philadelphia (Earthbound Angels #1) 

Author: Elizabeth Corrigan 

Synopsis: Carrie works at a diner in South Philadelphia, dispensing advice to humans and angels wise enough to seek her counsel. But there are some problems that even the best advice can’t solve. Her latest supplicant, Sebastian, is unique among those who have sought her aid. He sold his soul to a demon in exchange for his sister’s life, but his heart remains pure. Carrie has lived for millennia with the knowledge that her immortality is due to the suffering of others, and she cannot bear to see another good man damned when it is within her power to prevent it. In order to renegotiate his contract, Carrie must travel into the depths of hell and parley with the demons that control its pathways. As the cost of her journey rises, Carrie must determine how much she is willing to sacrifice to save one good soul.

                                                              Amazon

My review:

I really love starting a book from a new author because I get into the reading with an open mind and waiting to be surprised, sometimes is for good and others for bad. Luckily Oracle of Philadelphia was a really good surprise.

Corrigan has created a "hidden world" of angels and demons where everything is possible. Her narrative is easy to follow and to understand. She has portrayed a fascinating view of well-known biblical stories which gives a refreshing touch to the development of the characters. 

Carrie is a fierce and faithful heroine who doesn´t give up against anything. Even though through all her lives she has been led down many times, she always  rise up and faces life with more faith and energy than before.

Bedlam is my favorite character and I would love to read more about him. He is an exuberant demon who seems to have bipolar disorder or something like that since his mind is a turmoil of thoughts. He is the "angel" of chaos, which suits him perfectly. He is Carrie´s best friend and he suffers from love, which I think is completely unfair because he is such a cutie! I want him for myself xD

Usually I am not a fan of flashbacks, they tend to confuse me and very often I felt they give irrelevant information. But Corrigan with her seemingly effortless use of flashbacks, she jumps back and forth between past and present so easily that sometimes I didn´t even realize it. Through her narrative style she has made me like them because she uses them as a narrative technique to give relevant information about the characters.  Sometimes I even enjoyed the flashbacks more than what was happening in the present time because I get to know more about Gabriel, Bedlam and the other angels and demons. I would definitely would like to read more about them and it would be really great if Michael had his own books because he is a really complicated character.

Oracle of Philadelphia is wonderful fantasy book that treats angel and demons stories in a refreshing and different way, though maybe very religious people won´t like it, which is a same because they will be missing an amazing book!

Waiting on Wednesday (40)

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we´re eagerly anticipating.

The book that I am waiting is :

Title: The Warrior (Dante Walker #3)

Author: Victoria Scott

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Release Date: May 6th 2014

Synopsis from Goodreads: War between heaven and hell is coming, but Dante Walker makes it look damn good.

Dante’s girlfriend, Charlie, is fated to save the world. And Aspen, the girl who feels like a sister, is an ordained soldier. In order to help both fulfill their destiny and win the war, Dante must complete liberator training at the Hive, rescue Aspen from hell, and uncover a message hidden on an ancient scroll.

Dante is built for battle, but even he can’t handle the nightmares where spiders crawl from Aspen’s eyes, or the look on Charlie’s face that foretells of devastation. To make matters worse, the enemy seizes every opportunity to break inside the Hive and cripple the liberators. But the day of reckoning is fast approaching, and to stand victorious, Dante will have to embrace something inside himself he never has before—faith.

-I love Dante Walker, he is one of the most funny, hot and complex characters I´ve read. And after reading The Collector and The Liberator I can´t hardly wait to know what will happen to Dante and Charlie.