Top Ten Tuesday – Books That Surprised Me

March 13, 2018March 27, 2018 karenjo4615 Comments

toptentuesdays

Hello lovely bookworms! It’s time for another segment of Top Ten Tuesday! I hope you’re all having a great day so far.

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and has been moved to That Artsy Reader Girl since January 16, 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This week’s topic is Books That Surprised Me (Good or Bad). I don’t want to bash on the books I didn’t enjoy as much as I thought I would, so I’ll be sharing some of the amazing books I’ve read and completely took my breath away!

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover – This is the first book I read by CoHo and I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I actually didn’t really know anything about this book. I think I downloaded it when it was free and kind of forgot about it for a long time. I had heard great things about CoHo’s books, but didn’t realize just how addictive and amazing they really are! Hopeless is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read and will always have a special place in my heart. It’s beautifully written, heartrending, and the FEELS are absolutely the BEST!!!

Where I Found You by Heidi R. Kling – When I read the synopsis for this book, I knew that I would really enjoy the story. I just didn’t expect to absolutely fall head over heels in love with it. It’s one of the best books I read last year and I honestly cannot wait to read the sequel. This book made my heart hurt, but in the most amazing ways. It’s such wonderfully aching and beautifully written story about hope, forgiveness, and love. It was funny, sweet, fascinating and inspirational. Just love this book so much!

Pen and Xander by Laekan Zea Kemp – It took me a while to get into this book because I was having a difficult and stressful time at work. I was really enjoying the story, so rather than force myself to get through it, I read a few chapters every other day or so and let me tell you… those few chapters made me feel a little better. It motivated me to keep pushing through whatever I was dealing with and focus on what’s truly important in life. This book is so well-written and absolutely full of heart. It’s a book that inspires, teaches, and comforts you in the best possible way. It made me feel so many emotions and I’m just so in love with this book and everything about it.

Doon by Lorie Langdon and Carey Corp – I picked up the first two books of this series because I loved the covers. They’re absolutely gorgeous and I really just bought them for that. I did however read the synopsis and had an idea of what the series was about — magic, romance, time travel, and ridiculously handsome guys. I knew I would really like the series… just didn’t know I would completely love the series and end up binging. It’s also one of my favorite series and can’t wait for the T.V. adaptation!

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck – I thought this book would be adorable and cutesy and lighthearted. Well, it certainly had those moments, but this book hit me so hard I didn’t know what to do with all the FEELS! I honestly love this story so much it hurts. This book is hilarious, sweet, and so so BEAUTIFUL!! The emotional depth was so wonderfully executed and I cannot get over how amazing this is!

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer – Of course I had to put this here. I loved the movie and was really interested in reading the books. I had a good feeling I would really enjoy the books. Just didn’t know I would be so damn addicted to the series that I ended up reading the entire series in the span of 4-5 days. AND during my midterms week too. I probably didn’t even really sleep that week and I can’t remember if I studied all that much. I did really well on my midterms though and I had so much fun reading this series. It’s also what got me back into reading again, so I’ll always have a soft spot for this series.

A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan – This book is so INCREDIBLY AMAZING. How can something so upsetting and heartbreaking be so full of life and laughter?! I knew going into this book that I would get very emotional and cry until my eyes hurt, but I was actually laughing… A LOT. I mean there were plenty of tears involved don’t, but this book filled my heart with so much hope and joy. By the end, I just wanted to give everyone I love a big hug and never let go. Everything about this book is just so achingly beautiful. I love this story with all my heart and can’t recommend it enough.

Above the Sky by J.W. Lynne- The synopsis for this book sounded intriguing and fun so I had a good feeling I would really like it. Well, this book is undeniably amazing!!! It’s imaginative, detailed, and deeply moving. I have to admit, after reading a few pages I didn’t know what to think or what to really expect. Then out of nowhere… BOOM!!! My heart couldn’t keep up with ALL THE FEELS and it just didn’t not stop.

No Ordinary Star by M.C. Frank – I heard amazing things about this series and I couldn’t wait to finally read it. I was so excited when I got picked to be on the street team and received an ARC. This book is exceptionally unique and just so lovely! Gorgeous storytelling, wonderful world building, fantastic characters, and a fast paced intriguing plot that had me hooked from the very first page. I absolutely love this series!!!

Vicarious by Paula Stokes – This was one intense, twisted and mind-blowing ride! I wasn’t sure what to really expect since I was never a fan of mystery and thrillers. I do really enjoy Paula’s writing style and I wanted to read outside my comfort zone, so I picked this up. I actually didn’t even read it until I was approved on Netgalley for the sequel, Ferocious. Well, I definitely have no regrets! This book/series is haunting, riveting, and absolutely fantastic. Had me flipping the pages wayyyy past my bed time and I loved every moment!

I hope you enjoyed reading this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. What are some books that surprised you? Good or bad? Leave your comments and links down below so I can check out your posts!

Have a great day!

sincerelykarenjo2

Book Blitz -Shadows of Asphodel Box Set: The Complete Trilogy Karen Kincy

March 13, 2018March 11, 2018 karenjo46Leave a comment

Shadows of Asphodel Box Set: The Complete Trilogy
Karen Kincy
(Shadows of Asphodel #1-3)
Publication date: March 13th 2018
Genres: Dieselpunk, New Adult, Romance

She never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer. Discover a fantasy romance set in 1913, a world of dark magic on the brink of war. This box set includes Shadows of Asphodel, Storms of Lazarus, and Specters of Nemesis.

“Fans of alternate history will enjoy Kincy’s lively and sensuous steampunk-influenced tale of a magical WWI.” – Publishers Weekly BookLife

“Shadows of Asphodel is a great, rollicking adventure with plenty of steam! Kincy’s world-building is some of the best.” – Bec McMaster, author of Kiss of Steel

“A gripping alternate history of World War I, filled with magic and swordfighting, steamy romance, and general badassery–a daring adventure you don’t want to miss!” – Chelsea M. Campbell, author of The Rise of Renegade X

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT (Shadows of Asphodel):

Wendel wasn’t in the cabin. After checking the dining car, Ardis ventured reluctantly into the lounge car. Judging by the forest green carpet, leather chairs, and lingering scent of cigars, the lounge was meant to be a bastion of masculinity. But this early in the morning, there were no gentlemen to request that she leave at once.

Discounting, of course, Wendel—though she wasn’t sure he was a gentleman.

The necromancer sprawled in a chair, a glass of green-gold liquid in his hand. He sipped his drink, then smiled languidly at Ardis.

“Please,” he said, “sit.”

She remained standing, and frowned.

“What are you drinking?” she said.

“Absinthe.”

“Why?”

Wendel lifted the bottle to his face to inspect its contents. The color of the liquor within resembled his eyes remarkably.

“You heard the medic,” he said. “Plenty of fluids.”

Ardis sighed. “Not those kind of fluids. Alcohol isn’t a good idea.”

“Why not?” He sipped his drink. “It helps to dull the pain.”

She reached across and took the bottle of absinthe from the side table, then helped herself to a glass. She kept the bottle. Clearly, he didn’t

need any more. The absinthe scorched her throat, and she winced at the burn of alcohol.

“Not bad,” she rasped, and she swallowed a cough.

“Brave of you.” He dipped his head. “I never drink absinthe straight.”

She glanced at his glass, and realized his drink was indeed paler than her own.

“May I recommend a little sugar to cut the bitterness?” he said.

Blushing, Ardis spotted a bowl of sugar cubes on the table, alongside a carafe of ice water and a slotted silver spoon. She remembered there was a ritual for drinking absinthe properly, though she didn’t know how.

“To tell you the truth,” she said, “this is my first time.”

Wendel arched one eyebrow. “An absinthe virgin?”

She grimaced at his choice of words. “Not anymore.”

“You don’t drink much, do you?”

She shook her head. “I don’t drink fancy booze.”

“Booze.” He smirked. “Absinthe is too upper crust to be booze.”

Ardis smiled tightly. “And I suppose you know a lot about the upper crust?”

He shrugged and swirled the absinthe in his glass.

“Perhaps the House of Hohenzollern?” she said.

Wendel looked at her over his glass. “Who told you that? Konstantin?”

“He did,” she said. “Is he wrong?”

“No.”

She drank more absinthe, and rolled its fire on her tongue.

“Do you want to tell me more?” she said.

A strange look passed over Wendel’s face like a shadow. He set down his glass too hard, and it wobbled before he steadied it with a finger. He mustered something resembling a smile, but she saw the darkness in his eyes.

“What does Konstantin think he knows?” he said.

“He said the Order of the Asphodel has been training a necromancer since he was a boy. But he didn’t say much more than that.”

“The archmages really should hire better spies.”

“What kind of training?” she said, testing him.

Wendel’s false smile vanished. He looked out of the window at the sunrise creeping between the clouds and the fog.

“One more day,” he said, “until Vienna.”

“Do you have family in Vienna?” she said.

He knocked back the last of his absinthe. “No.”

She held out the bottle to him, but he ignored it.

“I don’t exist, Ardis,” he said. “Not to them. You won’t find me on any of their family trees. I’m not a part of their lineage anymore. If I die, they will have an easier time erasing me from their reputations. An easier time forgetting.”

Ardis was distantly aware of her heartbeat thumping, and of a tightness in her throat.

“When a necromancer dies,” she said, “does he die like a normal man?”

Wendel’s eyes glittered with a molten emotion she couldn’t name. She found it hard to look at him, but she didn’t dare look away.

“God,” he said, “I hope so.”

She still held the bottle of absinthe out to him, and when he took it from her, the very tips of his fingers touched hers. A shiver of electricity skittered down her backbone, as if she could feel the latent necromancy in his skin.

For some strange reason, she wanted to touch him again.

Ardis fought the urge, until Wendel looked away and she glimpsed a split second of his face. He was struggling to hide his fear, and this made him look more vulnerable than she had ever seen him before. Deliberately, her muscles tense, she sat in the chair opposite him and touched the back of his hand.

Wendel’s stare snapped to her fingers. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to touch you,” she said.

He looked into her eyes, and his own were inscrutable. “Don’t.”

Author Bio:

Karen Kincy (Duvall, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College and an MS in Computational Linguistics from the University of Washington. She is a member of RWA.

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