January 18, 2018 – Page 2 – Sincerely Karen Jo

tbrthursday

Hello lovely readers and Happy Friday Eve!! It’s been forever since I’ve done a TBR Thursday and I’ve really missed it. I have tons and tons of books on my TBR so I thought I’d keep showing you all them. Maybe you can give me some recommendations on which ones I should bump up the list and read ASAP.

TBR Thursdays is a weekly segment that highlights books, ebooks, and ARCs that I own and have been in my TBR forever. At the end of the year, I’ll do a recap to see how many of these books I actually read.

For my first TBR Thursday 2018, I’m choosing two books – Wintersong and Shadowsong by S. Jae-Jones

Wintersong

wintersong

PUBLISHED BY THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS FEBRUARY 7, 2017

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE, RETELLINGS

PAGES: HARDCOVER 436

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Synopsis

Beware the goblin men and the wares they sell.

All her life, nineteen-year-old Liesl has heard tales of the beautiful, mysterious Goblin King. He is the Lord of Mischief, the Ruler Underground, and the muse around which her music is composed. Yet, as Liesl helps shoulder the burden of running her family’s inn, her dreams of composition and childish fancies about the Goblin King must be set aside in favor of more practical concerns.

But when her sister Käthe is taken by the goblins, Liesl journeys to their realm to rescue her sister and return her to the world above. The Goblin King agrees to let Käthe go—for a price. The life of a maiden must be given to the land, in accordance with the old laws. A life for a life, he says. Without sacrifice, nothing good can grow. Without death, there can be no rebirth. In exchange for her sister’s freedom, Liesl offers her hand in marriage to the Goblin King. He accepts.

Down in the Underground, Liesl discovers that the Goblin King still inspires her—musically, physically, emotionally. Yet even as her talent blossoms, Liesl’s life is slowly fading away, the price she paid for becoming the Goblin King’s bride. As the two of them grow closer, they must learn just what it is they are each willing to sacrifice: her life, her music, or the end of the world.

Shadowsong

shadowsong

EXPECTED PUBLICATION: WEDNESDAY BOOKS FEBRUARY 6, 2018

GENRE(S): YOUNG ADULT, FANTASY, ROMANCE, RETELLINGS

PAGES: HARDCOVER 384

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Synopsis

Six months after the end of Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her.

When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

So I’ve had Wintersong since April 2017. I also met the lovely author during Yallwest and got my book signed. I planned on reading this, but never got to it because I was waiting to binge it when the sequel came out. Well, Shadowsong just happened to appear in my mail a few weeks ago. I think I won the ARC from a giveaway — most likely from Shelfawareness… I’m not really sure. Sometimes there’s a note in the package, so I’d know where the book was from, but most of the time there isn’t. And I’m really bad at keeping track of all the giveaways I join. Anyway, now that I have both books, I’m planning on reading them before the Shadowsong’s release date.

Have any of you read Wintersong? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below!

sincerelykarenjo2

Cross Stroke
Elizabeth Hartey
Publication date: January 16th 2018
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Tracey…

One night left my heart shattered and my reputation ruined, and now my only hope is to transfer to another university far from home. Although I’m a champion figure skater and am used to succeeding, I can’t dump the burden of distrust and intimacy I’m carrying.

But when I literally crash into the cocky captain of the hockey team, sparks fly, and the attraction is as undeniable as it is unwanted.

No way is this arrogant hottie the one to help me move past my fears. Or is he…?

Dak…

Overwhelmed with guilt and remorse, I can’t forget the tragic accident that killed my first love. To avoid ever feeling that kind of agonizing loss again, I vow to stick with one-night stands with every puck bunny who glides my way and focus on keeping my position on the hockey team.

But after I meet a feisty figure skater and am then thrown together with her as a lab partner, I find I want to melt the icy walls we’ve built around our hearts.

If we don’t strangle each other first.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Tracey

My next trip into unrequited love land occurred with the esoteric art student. He had long flowing hair and haunting amber gold eyes which seemed to hold the secrets of life and made my limbs quiver. Things went pretty much the same with art boy as they did with rock god. Another beautiful friend who was unable to quench my robust desires. I introduced my music friend to my art friend and hearts and flowers bloomed all around—for them. I was happy for them. Really. Sort of. Okay, I was pissed. But I eventually got over it, and didn’t panic.

Having seen that look before, the first time rock god gazed at me, I’m not surprised or bothered by the way I’m imagining the jackass swallowing me with his eyes right now. I know it means nothing. What does bother me is his panty melting body in full view, which I, on the other hand, am more than attracted to. My legs are starting to feel rubbery underneath me. Bambi might be the right name for me after all.

“Maybe you need glasses, Bambi.” The jackass smirks. “You can’t see the big things right in front of you.”

“My eyes are fine. For instance, I don’t see anything big in front of me at the moment.” I glance down at the Thor-size hammer between his legs.

What? I’m certainly not going to tell him he’s been blessed by the gods.

He finally decides to wrap his towel around his miraculous…waist. Doesn’t help though. I’m still aware of the perfect V of his oblique muscles pointing the way to wonderland.

“Never had any complaints before.” He grins. “And I was referring to the big black letters on the door of the locker room.”

“I came in to change my clothes.” I flip my hair back in a perfect ‘f… off’ maneuver.

“I can see that, Bambi.” He arches a brow while taking one more long survey up and down my body. “But this,” he points one finger from side to side, “is the boys’ locker room, and unless you want to start a riot, I suggest you get out of here before the hockey team gets off the ice.”

Playlist

Link

Pump It –Black-eyed Peas
Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
The Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
No Church In The Wild – Jay Z and Kanye West
The Canon in D – Pachelbel
In your eyes – Peter Gabriel
Only Exception – Paramore
You Matter To Me – Jason Mraz and Sara Bareilles
Distance – Jason Mraz and Christina Perri
I’ll Make Love to you – Boyz To Men
Mine – Bazzi

Author Bio:

As a lover of the northeast US, my husband and I moved to the Poconos several years ago to open a Chiropractic Clinic. Four children and a menagerie of animals later, I have finally found time to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing novels. A dreamer at heart, romance is—of course—the genre I spend most of my time writing and reading into the wee hours of the morning. However, if it’s a good book, any genre can keep me immersed in the story for hours.

When I’m not juggling work responsibilities and writing, I enjoy baking, knitting, traveling, hiking the beautiful hills and woods around my home and spending time with my family.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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