Review: The Butterfly Code by Sue Wyshynski inc giveaway

The Butterfly Code by Sue Wyshynski 

Publication date: October 15th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Suspense
Stars: 4 ****

The Blurb

My friends say Hunter Cayman’s dangerous.
They say he's a threat to everyone in town.
I’m not so sure.
As he stands before me in this crowded club with the lights shining around us, I catch something good under Hunter’s dark facade. Something decent and profound.
I don’t know who or what to believe.
But I will find out the truth.

Aeris Thorne is expecting a restful vacation in the remote town of Deep Cove. But on a stormy night, she meets the alluring and mysterious Hunter Cayman, and her life takes an exhilarating turn.

Aeris is both drawn to him and determined to find out what he’s hiding. It’s clear Hunter has found success with the high-security lab on his vast estate. But what Aeris doesn’t know is that he’s tormented by a secret: the truth behind his research.

As he and Aeris are drawn together, the walls he’s built to protect himself threaten to crumble. At the same time, she begins to wonder if she’s found the key to unraveling her own tragic past. When Aeris’s life is threatened, Hunter is forced to make an impossible decision about her future—one that could change everything.

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N

My Thoughts

What grabbed my first about this book is it's striking cover. I loved the use of the black butterfly wings against the white cover. I then read the blurb & I was intrigued plus Hunter Cayman sounded so mysterious I needed to no more. I'm very grateful to Xpresso Book Tours for the copy of The Butterfly Code and to take part in the blog tour. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour here.

This book was a lovely surprise, I really didn't expect the story to go the way it did and to have the sci-fi edge that it had. I love sci-fi and fantasy though so that added element was a real bonus for me. 

The story centres around Aeris Thorn, a musician who has returned home to spend time with her father before she starts her dream job of playing with the New York Philharmonic. Her quick trip home soon turns into a nightmare when she meets Dr Hunter Cayman and becomes tangled in a web of intrigue and left wondering how it all connects to her mother and how much is her father involved in the strange goings on.

The Butterfly Code has a clever and unique plot and I really enjoyed Wyshynski's storytelling, she had me hooked right from the beginning needing to know how things were going to turn out. I flew through the book totally immersed in the story and fully engaged with the characters. Aeris was a brilliant character, she was driven and determined and made a wonderful protagonist. Hunter Cayman was well written as the tall dark stranger with elements of mystery and danger about him.

I don't really want to say too much more about the book as I am concerned about giving away plot details and spoiling it for those yet to read it. Wyshynski did a wonderful job of pulling together mystery and fantasy, throwing in the paranormal with criminal elements all things that I love in a book and for that reason I will certainly be reading more from this author. The Butterfly Code was action packed from start to finish and I feel that it is a book that is suitable for wide audience. I'm really pleased to see that this is the first in a series as I'm looking forward to seeing where the authors takes the characters in the next book.

About The Author

Sue Wyshynski is a small town Canadian girl who moved to the United States to pursue the American dream. Sue grew up in the same place as musician Justin Bieber. Her last name is pronounced wish-in-ski.

Sue’s style has been described as immersive, emotional, and action-packed.

According to Sue, “Writers must do more than write; they must try to speak to the hearts of the world.”

The Butterfly Code, coming this fall, is Sue’s first New Adult romantic suspense.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Giveaway

Tour-wide giveaway (US/CAN)

• A two-tone, heavy duty cotton book/shopping bag

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Save Me From Myself by Stacey Mosteller (Nashville NIghts)

 

Nashville Nights Boxed Set by Stacey Mosteller 

Published by: Swoon Romance
Publication date: November 27th 2015
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Stars: 4 ****

Save Me From Myself(Book 1)

The Blurb

Tragedy and betrayal sent her running…

And now she’s starting over far away from the person she used to be.

Lyric Hayes tried to be the perfect daughter and the perfect girlfriend, but those days are over. She’s ready to begin again with a vow to herself: no relationships, no complications, and no turning back.

Easier said than done…


Confident, successful, and charming David Pearson makes her vow nearly impossible. He has it all, and David knows better than anyone not to judge someone by what’s on the surface. Wanting to own her heart, he’ll do anything to gain her trust and save her from herself. But David’s family could have secrets and baggage of their own, which could send Lyric packing and on the run once again. Is his past just another version of a song Lyric has heard before?

My Thoughts

I am always drawn to any book with a Nashville setting so I jumped at being part of the blog tour for Stacey Mosteller's Nashville Nights series. So far I've only read book one but not long after starting Save Me From Myself I could see that Nashville Nights is a series I could quickly become addicted too.

So Save Me From Myself is a little different from all the other Nashville based books that I've read because the lead characters are not musicians looking to make it big in Country music. Lyric Hayes has moved to Nashville in order to start a new life, leaving her family including a difficult ex-fiance and a witch of a mother behind in New York. She has found a job with a magazine in Nashville and moved in with her best friend and the last thing on her mind is finding love.

Unfortunately(or fortunately) for Lyric not long after arriving in Nashville she meets hot and handsome as hell bartender David who turns her world totally upside down. There is an immediate connection between the two of them that Lyric tries very hard to fight but it's a fight that she loses when David gets right under her skin. Before leaving New York, Lyric had suffered a personal tragedy that left had left her reeling and unable to see how she could ever be in another relationship. David has a history of his own so can the two of them survive all the curve balls that are going to be thrown their way including Lyric's ex turning up in Nashville and David's sister blackmailing Lyric to keep her secret.

Save Me From Myself, was a brilliant read. It was entertaining, offered some light relief but was also packed full of emotion, angst and some very steamy sex scenes. It took me a while to get used to Lyric's name, I mean who on earth calls their child Lyric but actually the more I learned of her mother I could see exactly who called their child Lyric. I loved Lyric and Stacey's writing really helped me feel her heartbreak and the pain that she had endured, I found myself really rooting for her to get her happy ending.

David is the perfect book hero. He's handsome, he's charming, he has a wonderful Southern drawl, he's hot and above all he really cares for Lyric and does what he can to protect her. As soon as Stacey Mosteller introduced him to the story I found myself thinking now where can I get me one of him. I enjoyed seeing the way the relationship plays out between Lyric and David and that Stacey holds back just enough of both their back stories to keep you interested.

Save Me From Myself features some great secondary characters that help add to both the humour and the drama and I'm looking forward to finding out more about some of them in the next Nashville Nights book. I'd highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a strong romance with a hint of steam and some really wonderful characters. 

Check out the rest of the Nashville Nights blog tour over on Xpresso Books

Goodreads / Amazon 

About The Author

Stacey is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author of Second Chances and Shadows of the Past (co-authored with H.M. Ward), the Nashville Nights, Two Sisters and Nashville U series (coming late 2015 from Swoon Romance).

She is also a wife, mother, writer and self-professed bookwhore – not necessarily in that order! As the mother of three growing boys, her Kindle has become her temporary escape from the insanity of boys, dogs and her husband. Stacey can usually be found curled up with her iPad when she’s supposed to be writing or creating endless Spotify playlists!

Author links:

http://staceymosteller.net/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7374732.Stacey_Mosteller

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorStaceyMosteller?_rdr=p

https://twitter.com/StaceyMosteller

Giveaway:

Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)

• $10 Amazon gift card + eBook copy of the Nashville Nights Boxed Set

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Crush #2

Every Friday I will be sharing my latest cover crush. A cover that has really caught my eye and made me want to pick the book up.

Little Girl Gone by Alexandra Burt

A baby goes missing. But does her mother want her back?

When Estelle’s baby daughter is taken from her cot, she doesn’t report her missing. Days later, Estelle is found in a wrecked car, with a wound to her head and no memory.

Estelle knows she holds the key to what happened that night – but what she doesn’t know is whether she was responsible…

What I Love?

Sometimes simple is really the best way to go and it's the simplicity I love about the cover for Little Girl Gone. The use of the bright pink title against the black, white and grey of the rest of the cover really make it pop.

The book has a great tagline and the use of the shadow birds and cot add an element of mystery.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Quotes I Loved From Books I Read In The Past Year Or So

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish. 

I'm always highlighting favourite quotes especially when reading books on my Kindle because it is so much easier to highlight on Kindle.

Here are ten of my favourites from the last year.

“Sometimes you make choices in life and sometimes choices make you.” 
― Gayle Forman, If I Stay

“I'm a sociopath. I look normal, but I'm not. I'm smarter, better, and freer, because I'm not bound by rules, law, emotion or regard for you.” 

― Lisa Scottoline, Every Fifteen Minutes

“These were the names she whispered in the dark.
These were the pieces she brought back into place.
These were the wolves she rode to war.” 
― Ryan Graudin, Wolf By Wolf

“As you grew up, when you were grown, totally unknown to yourself, you confused your father with God. You never saw him as a man with a man’s heart, and a man’s failings—I’ll grant you it may have been hard to see, he makes so few mistakes, but he makes ’em like all of us.” 
― Harper Lee, Go Set a Watchman

“...I knew in the end the guilt of one side did not prove the innocence of the other.” 
― Sara Nović, Girl at War

“As I turned the pages, I felt as if there were bees on my fingertips, for I had never felt so alive as when reading.” 

― Alice Hoffman, The Marriage of Opposites

“And that’s how I thought of love. Blue and infinite, clear but deep, where no man could truly reach. A deep blue eternity.” 
― Natasha Boyd, Deep Blue Eternity

You're looking at me like you fell in love with me."
"I didn't fall in love with you. I flew.” 
― Colleen Hoover, Ugly Love

“Death has its beauty. It makes you see the eternity in every second; it makes you see every moment’s perfection instead of searching an eternity for the perfect moment. Time moves differently—beautifully—for those who only have smidgens of it left. But there is no beauty in death for those left behind.” 
― Layla Hagen, Withering Hope

“Happy was my adopted country, not my native land. I was still bracing to be expelled without warning.” 
― Kimberly McCreight, Where They Found Her

Cover Crush #1

I love book covers. It's the first thing that attracts me to a book, the thing that makes me want to pick it up and read the blurb on the back. I can spend ages browsing the shelves of a bookshop or library taking in the beauty of book covers.

They say don't judge a book by it's cover but unfortunately it's something I just can't help. Every Friday I'm going to highlight a favourite book cover or a cover that has caught my eye for it's sheer beauty. A cover that has me crushing on a book.

The Saffron Trail by Rosanna Ley

Once, there was a girl who loved saffron. She loved its secrets, its mystery, and best of all, she loved its hint of magic.

After the death of her beloved mother, Nell travels from rural Cornwall to the colour and chaos of Marrakech. Her marriage may be on the rocks, but exploring the heady delights of Moroccan cuisine could help her fulfil her dream of opening her own restaurant.

It's there she meets Amy - a young photographer trying to unravel the story behind her family's involvement in the Vietnam War. The two women develop a close friendship and discover a surprising connection between their own pasts.

This connection will take Nell and Amy on a journey to find their own 'saffron trail' - from the labyrinthine medina and bustle of Moroccan bazaars all the way back home to Cornwall and to the heart of their families' origins.

What I Love?

This cover uses the MOST gorgeous colours - from the blues of the sky to the purples in the water. The landscape image with it's reflection on the water draws you in and the vibrancy of the woman's dress makes you focus on the woman and wonder who she is and what's her story.

I love the font that is used for the title and the colour really makes it stand out on the cover. The flowers in the bottom corners of the cover are so pretty and purple which is my favourite colour. This book definitely looks like a book I can escape into.

Review: Lost Girls by Angela Marsons

Lost Girls by Angela Marsons
(#3 D.I. Kim Stone)

Publication Date: 6th November, 2015
Genre:Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Stars: 5 *****

The Blurb

Two girls go missing. Only one will return. 

The couple that offers the highest amount will see their daughter again. The losing couple will not. Make no mistake. One child will die. 

When nine-year-old best friends Charlie and Amy disappear, two families are plunged into a living nightmare. A text message confirms the unthinkable; that the girls are the victims of a terrifying kidnapping. 

And when a second text message pits the two families against each other for the life of their children, the clock starts ticking for D.I. Kim Stone and the squad. 

Seemingly outwitted at every turn, as they uncover a trail of bodies, Stone realises that these ruthless killers might be the most deadly she has ever faced. And that their chances of bringing the girls home alive, are getting smaller by the hour… 

Untangling a dark web of secrets from the families’ past might hold the key to solving this case. But can Kim stay alive long enough to do so? Or will someone’s child pay the ultimate price? 

My Thoughts

Angela Marsons is back with the third instalment in her D.I. Kim Stone series and this is probably Kim's most difficult case yet as her latest case brings her face to face with someone from the past. She's used to dealing with dead bodes and Kim is surprised to find herself taking the lead in a case where two young girls have been kidnapped.

The kidnapping has similarities to a case the previous year where two girls went missing but only one returned. Kim knows that she and her team are racing against the clock to find the two girls alive especially with the dead bodies mounting up. It's every parent's worst nightmare, made worse by the two girls' families being pitted against each other to save their daughters.

Lost Girls has a fantastic opening as always, that sets the book up perfectly, it sucks you in and has you hooked from the very first page. Kim Stone is a tour de force and has fast become my favourite female protagonist in a crime series. With twists, secrets and lies the story will keep you guessing right until the very end.

I love Kim and her team, especially the relationship she has with Bryant. I also loved the introduction of Matt, the negotiator and the weird chemistry that develops between him and Kim. I'm looking forward to seeing if Angie takes their relationship further in the next book.

Angela Marsons has knocked it out of the park with the Lost Girls. I loved both Silent Scream and Evil Games but this book is on a whole other level. It tackles some serious and sensitive issues and Marsons has taken a much darker turn with this book. Lost Girls is a fast paced and highly emotive story from one of the best new talents in the genre. I can't wait to see where Angie takes both Kim and the reader in book four.

Review: The Broken Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James

The Broken Hearts Book Club by Lynsey James


Publication Date: 4th September 2015
Genres:Contemporary, Romance
Stars: 5 *****

The Blurb

Secrets never stay buried for long...

Lucy Harper has always been good at one thing: running from her past. But when her beloved Nana Lily passes away she has no choice except to return to the one place in the world she most wants to avoid...

Luna Bay hasn't changed much in the eight years she has spent in London. The little Yorkshire village is still just as beautiful, but the new pub landlord is a gorgeous addition to the scenery!

Lucy only intended to stay for a day, yet when she discovers that Nana Lily has not only left her a cottage but also 'The Broken Hearts Book Club', Lucy is intrigued. Her Nana never have mentioned the club and Lucy can't wait to get started, but walking into her first meeting she is more aware than ever that her past is finally catching up with her.

One way or another, Lucy must finally face the secrets she's kept buried for so long - or spend the rest of her life on the run...

My Thoughts

I was in a real reading slump before starting The Broken Hearts Book Club, too much going on at home and at work was seriously impacting on my reading time and I was struggling to keep my focus when reading. Then this little gem of a book came along with it's gorgeous cover and it's sweet storyline and the slump disappeared.

Lucy Harper returns to her home town of Luna Bay for her grandmother's funeral after spending eight years in London. Something sent her running all those years ago and she has been hiding from her past ever since, avoiding Luna Bay at all costs. With the death of her beloved Nana Lily has to face past and heads home to pay her respects with the intention of slipping in and out of town without drawing any intention. Unfortunately for Lucy her plan doesn't go as she hopes especially when she realises that her grandmother has left her cottage to Lucy in her will with the proviso she takes over the running of her book club.

Lucy decides to go to the book club for just one meeting, she's determined that she isn't going to stick around but curiosity and pub landlord, Jake get the better of her and she is faced with some tough decisions.

This was a gorgeous book, that left me feeling warm and fuzzy. It was packed with so many emotions and I loved the idea of the book club, such a wonderful idea for a group of people to come together to try and mend their broken hearts. Lucy is a brilliant character who I immediately warmed to, she's the kind of person who you would want to be friends with and I found myself really invested in her story and how things were going to end up for her. Lucy's inability to control herself in difficult situations add a layer of humour to the book, singing 'Big Yellow Taxi' at her grandmother's funeral certainly put a smile on my face.

Then there was Jake, sweet, loveable and totally hot Jake. I loved the relationship that develops between Jake and Lucy and the added drama of Jake's ex makes for a roller coaster of emotions. This is a book full of love, laughter, sadness and tears and with the added mystery of what happened eight years ago to make Lucy leave the beautiful Luna Bay it has all the elements of a perfect read. It's a book that teaches us that if we just try and overcome our past we might just find our happy ending.

This was the first book that I have read by Lynsey James but it won't be my last and Lynsey's first book, Just The Way You Are is now high up my list of books I must read.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book To Movie Adaptations I'm Looking Forward To

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly meme created over at The Broke and the Bookish. 

This is my first time taking part & it's the perfect week to start as I love a good book to movie adaptation and there are so many great ones to look forward to.


1. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 by Suzanne Collins

The last film is almost here and to be honest I'm not quite sure I'm ready to say goodbye to Katniss yet. The Hunger Games trilogy is up there in my top ten favourite books of all time and I've come to love the films as well.

2. Looking For Alaska by John Green

This was the first John Green book that I read & I loved it.
Really looking forward to seeing who they cast in the lead roles in this one.

3. Allegiant by Veronica Roth

The Divergent trilogy wraps up next year with the final film in the franchise Allegiant. I was a little bit shocked at the plot of this book and I'm looking forward to see how it plays out on screen.

4. Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

I fell in love with Colleen Hoover as an author when I read this book last year. It's a book that is packed with emotion and I am so looking forward to it being on the big screen. It does help that a real hottie has been cast to play Miles.






5. Room by Emma Donoghue

I read Room with my reading group and it's a book that evoked some powerful discussion. 
It was a very emotional read and having seen the trailer it looks that it is going to be a really powerful film.

6. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

If you haven't heard of this book then you have most likely been living in a hole somewhere. There has been so much hype surrounding Paula Hawkins' debut novel and having read the book I can say it is well deserved.
For the film they are relocating to New York and with Emily Blunt in the lead role of Rachel I'm really hoping that the book is done justice.

 

7. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

This book was beautiful, full of wonderful imagery and great characters. There doesn't seem to be much out there on who is directing, who the cast are and I really don't know if this is a book that can be captured on film. I am looking forward to seeing it though.

8. Six Years by Harlan Coben

Harlan Coben is one of my favourite authors and Six Years is one of his best books. Again there isn't much to be found on the internet other than Hugh Jackman's name is attached to play the lead.

9. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This book is in Brad Pitt's hands to turn into a film and looks to have a fantastic cast lined up. 

10. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

I've never actually read the book but have seen the Disney animated film so many times. This latest film version is going to be a live action film and has some great names doing the voices including Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba and Bill Murray.