Showing posts with label Zoraida Córdova. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Zoraida Córdova. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Waiting on Wednesday #633, June 28th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating! 

Mister Magic by Kiersten White
Expected Publication: August 1st, 2023
From Goodreads:
Who is Mister Magic? Former child stars reunite to uncover the tragedy that ended their show—and discover the secret of its enigmatic host—in this dark supernatural thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hide.

Thirty years after a tragic accident shut down production of the classic children’s program Mister Magic, the five surviving cast members have done their best to move on. But just as generations of cultishly devoted fans still cling to the lessons they learned from the show, the cast, known as the Circle of Friends, have spent their lives searching for the happiness they felt while they were on it. The friendship. The feeling of belonging. And the protection of Mister Magic.

But with no surviving video of the show, no evidence of who directed or produced it, and no records of who—or what—the beloved host actually was, memories are all the former Circle of Friends has.

Then a twist of fate brings the castmates back together at the remote desert filming compound that feels like it’s been waiting for them all this time. Even though they haven’t seen each other for years, they understand one another better than anyone has since.

After all, they’re the only ones who hold the secret of that circle, the mystery of the magic man in his infinitely black cape, and, maybe, the answers to what really happened on that deadly last day. But as the Circle of Friends reclaim parts of their past, they begin to wonder: Are they here by choice, or have they been lured into a trap?

Because magic never forgets the taste of your friendship. . . .

The Bone Hacker by Kathy Reichs
Expected Publication: August 1st, 2023
From Goodreads:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kathy Reichs returns with her twenty-second high-stakes thriller featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan who, following a series of bizarre disappearances on the islands of Turks and Caicos, enters a sinister labyrinth in which a new technology may wreak worldwide havoc.

Called in to examine what is left of a body struck by lightning, Tempe traces an unusual tattoo to its source and is soon embroiled in a much larger case. Young men—tourists—have been disappearing on the islands of Turks and Caicos for years. Seven years ago, the first victim was found in a strange location with both hands cut off; the other visitors vanished without a trace. But, recently, tantalizing leads have emerged and only Tempe can unravel them.

Maddeningly, the victims seem to have nothing in common—other than the strange locations where their bodies are eventually found, and the fact that the young men all seem to be the least likely to be involved in foul play. Do these attacks have something to do with the islands’ seething culture of gang violence? Tempe isn’t so sure. And then she turns up disturbing clues that what’s at stake may actually have global significance.

It isn’t long before the sound of a ticking clock grows menacingly loud, and then Temper herself becomes a target.

The Narrow by Kate Alice Marshall
Expected Publication: August 1st, 2023
From Goodreads:
A ghost haunting her boarding school uncovers a teen girl's best kept secrets in the Queen of Scream's deliciously terrifying new novel.

Everyone has heard the story of the Narrow. The river that runs behind the Atwood School is only a few feet across and seemingly placid, but beneath the surface, the waters are deep and vicious. It’s said that no one who has fallen in has ever survived.

Eden White knows that isn’t true. Six years ago, she saw Delphine Fournier fall into the Narrow—and live.

Delphine now lives in careful isolation, sealed off from the world. Even a single drop of unpurified water could be deadly to her, and no one but Eden has any idea why. Eden has never told anyone what she saw or spoken to Delphine since, but now, unable to cover her tuition, she has to make a her expenses will be paid in return for serving as a live-in companion to Delphine.

Eden finds herself drawn to the strange and mysterious girl, and the two of them begin to unravel each other’s secrets. Then Eden discovers what happened to the last girl who lived with she was found half-drowned on dry land. Suddenly Eden is waking up to wet footprints tracking to the end of her bed, the sound of rain on the windows when the skies are clear, and a ghostly silhouette in her doorway. Something is haunting Delphine—and now it’s coming for Eden, too.

Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova
Expected Publication: August 1st, 2023
From Goodreads:
A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love and finding your voice, Kiss the Girl is the highly anticipated third installment in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection.

Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters—together, known as the band Siren Seven—have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she’s the girl who has everything. 

But lately, she wants more . Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can’t wait to spend the summer just living a normal life—part of a world she’s only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show. 

The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It’s there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father—and goes with him. 

Caught between the world she longs for and the one she’s left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?

The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach
Expected Publication: August 1st, 2023
From Goodreads:
From Not Here to Be Liked author Michelle Quach comes a smartly funny, heartfelt story told in dual POV about a young woman roping in her childhood crush to act as an honorary male heir to fulfill her grandfather's dying wish. A story about first love, familial duties, and finding yourself--perfect for fans of Emiko Jean and Loan Le.

Francine loves her grandfather, but their time together is running out. He has one final wish: to see a male heir carry on the family traditions. Francine knows his ideas are outdated, but she would do anything for him. Her solution? Ask Ollie Tran, a family friend (and former crush, not that it matters), to pretend to be ceremonially adopted and act like the grandson her A Gung never had.

Ollie has always made a point of avoiding the odd, too blunt (and fine, sort of cute) Francine, whose intensity has always made him uncomfortable. So when she asks him to help deceive her dying A Gung, Ollie's definitely not down. He doesn't get why anyone would go to such lengths, even for family. Especially with a backwards (and sexist, Ollie keeps stressing) scheme like this.

Francine, however, is determined to make it work, and soon Ollie finds himself more invested in her plan--and in her--than he ever thought possible. But as the tangled lies and feelings pile up, Francine will have to discover what exactly she needs for herself--and from Ollie. Because sometimes the boy you always wanted isn't what you expected.

Oh, man, some really amazing authors and series here that I'm so excited for to kick off the month, and I can't wait for them to come out! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Monday, April 3, 2023

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #617, April 3rd

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!
What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #616
Teaser Tuesday #624
WWW Wednesday #624
WOW #620
Will the Time Come #617
Third Sentence Thursday #607
Random Reads #593
First Lines Friday #620
Book Blogger Hop #286
21 Books to Read in 2021 Update 33
The Reward Challenge Update #602
Wheel of TBR #149
How Well I Stuck to It #454
Wrote that Review Update #451

Week 13 Reviews:
Delicious Monsters

Magical Readathon: Orilium: 
Update 8

Spring Into Reading-A-Thon: 

Random:

OK, so I got 40 posts in 7 days, it was a pretty good week, I read a lot, but I also had a cold, which wasn't fun. Plus it snowed last night. It's mostly melted, at least what remained on sidewalks after shoveling, but it's very annoying! But I'm looking forward to the 4 day weekend that I'm getting this week, I'm going to try and get a lot of reading done! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Falling for the Gravekeeper, The Late Mrs. Willoughby, and Secret Project #2!

Jane Ladling told her side of the story. Now Special Agent Conrad Ryan tells his.

Welcome to Aurelian Hills, a small town rich in history and community, and six feet deep in murder.

When a local playboy doctor is found dead in an unearthed grave, Conrad is on the case. But this loner by choice is ill prepared for the cemetery’s quirky owner. A beautiful brunette with a curious nature, a fascination with cats, hats and a talent for distracting him. Doesn’t help when she, well, tries to help, and constantly inserts herself into the investigation.

With suspects stacking up, wild theories flying and a would-be amateur sleuth giving him a run for his money, Conrad must do what he does best. Buckle down, piece together the evidence and save the day. What he won’t do? Fall for the enchanting gravekeeper. Not him. No way.
The suspenseful sequel to The Murder of Mr. Wickham, which sees Jonathan Darcy and Juliet Tilney reunited, and with another mystery to solve: the dreadful poisoning of the scoundrel Willoughby's new wife.

Catherine and Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey are not entirely pleased to be sending their eligible young daughter Juliet out into the world again: the last house party she attended, at the home of the Knightleys, involved a murder—which Juliet helped solve. Particularly concerning is that she intends to visit her new friend Marianne Brandon, who's returned home to Devonshire shrouded in fresh scandal—made more potent by the news that her former suitor, the rakish Mr. Willoughby, intends to take up residence at his local estate with his new bride.

Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley are thrilled that their eldest son, Jonathan—who, like his father, has not always been the most socially adept—has been invited to stay with his former schoolmate, John Willoughby. Jonathan himself is decidedly less taken with the notion of having to spend extended time under the roof of his old bully, but that all changes when he finds himself reunited with his fellow amateur sleuth, the radiant Miss Tilney. And when shortly thereafter, Willoughby's new wife—whom he married for her fortune—dies horribly at the party meant to welcome her to town.

With rumors flying and Marianne—known to be both unstable and previously jilted by the dead woman's newly made widower—under increased suspicion, Jonathan and Juliet must team up once more to uncover the murderer. But as they collect clues and close in on suspects, eerie incidents suggest that the killer may strike again, and that the pair are in far graver danger than they or their families could imagine.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson meshes Jason Bourne and epic fantasy in this captivating adventure that throws an amnesiac wizard into time travel shenanigans—where his only hope of survival lies in recovering his missing memories.

A man awakes in a clearing in what appears to be medieval England with no memory of who he is, where he came from, or why he is there. Chased by a group from his own time, his sole hope for survival lies in regaining his missing memories, making allies among the locals, and perhaps even trusting in their superstitious boasts. His only help from the “real world” should have been a guidebook entitled The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England, except his copy exploded during transit. The few fragments he managed to save provide clues to his situation, but can he figure them out in time to survive?

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Week 13 Review: Kiss the Girl

From Goodreads:
A modern tale of unexpectedly falling in love, and finding your voice—the highly anticipated third installment of in the acclaimed and best-selling Meant to Be collection.

Ariel del Mar is one of the most famous singers in the world. She and her sisters—together, known as the band Siren Seven—have been a pop culture phenomenon since they were kids. On stage, wearing her iconic red wig and sequined costumes, staring out at a sea of fans, is where she shines. Anyone would think she's the girl who has everything.

But lately, she wants more. Siren Seven is wrapping up their farewell tour, and Ariel can't wait to spend the summer just living a normal life—part of a world she's only ever seen from the outside. But her father, the head of Atlantica Records, has other plans: begin her breakout solo career immediately, starting with a splashy announcement on a morning talk show.

The night before, Ariel and her sisters sneak out of their Manhattan penthouse for a night of incognito fun at a rock concert in Brooklyn. It's there that Ariel crosses paths with Eric Reyes, dreamy lead singer of an up-and-coming band. Unaware of her true identity, Eric spontaneously invites her on the road for the summer. And for the first time in her life, Ariel disobeys her father—and goes with him.

Caught between the world she longs for and the one she's left behind, can Ariel follow her dreams, fall in love, and, somehow, find her own voice?

My Review:
I loved reading this book! The Little Mermaid is my other favourite Disney Renaissance movie, with the music being so much fun to sing. So this retelling, where the sisters are in a band, that their dad owns a record label, yeah, it was fantastic!

Ariel wants to have a break, to be a normal person, after being part of the band for so long. But her father puts her in a tough position, to stay on, and let her sisters go and have this break. So of course she needs just a little time of freedom.

It was so much fun to see Ariel on the road with this band, who don't know who she is, and just to relax and have fun with music. It was what she wanted to do before, even though she's going against her dad's wishes, and that's too bad, because she needs to live her own life.

The romance was so sweet, I really enjoyed her and Eric, as well as this story of her finding out who she wanted to be, what she wanted out of her life. It was a sweet and adorable read, that I had such a great time with! 

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read more of this series! 

Author: Zoraida Córdova
Series: Meant to Be #3
Read: March 31st, 2023
Source: NetGalley  
Reason Why: Love her writing and I'm enjoying this series, and it's a 2023 Retelling Reading Challenge and a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2033 Book! 
Publisher: Hyperion Avenue
Published: August 1st 2023
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Monday, October 3, 2022

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #591, October 3rd

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!
What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #590
Teaser Tuesday #598
WWW Wednesday #598
WOW #594
Will the Time Come #591
Third Sentence Thursday #581
Random Reads #567
First Lines Friday #594
Book Blogger Hop #260
The Reward Challenge Update #576
Wheel of TBR #123
How Well I Stuck to It #428
Wrote that Review Update #425

Week 39 Reviews:
The Lost Prince
Fed 

Becca's BookoplAthon: 

SeasonAthon Academy: 

Greek God-a-Thon: 

ARCtober 2022: 

Random:

OK, so I got 43 posts in 7 days, which is a pretty good week. Personally, this is my vacation week, but Jax is causing some stress, I'm hoping he'll feel better later today. Edited to add, it's looking good, we'll see what he's like at suppertime, but at breakfast, it was good news. What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read whatever I want! 

Saturday, October 1, 2022

Week 39 Review: The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina

From Goodreads:
The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low or empty, or why their matriarch won't ever leave their home in Four Rivers—even for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Tatinelly's daughter, Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea's line. Determined to save what's left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, the four descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked backed.

Alternating between Orquídea's past and her descendants' present, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is an enchanting novel about what we knowingly and unknowingly inherit from our ancestors, the ties that bind, and reclaiming your power.

My Review:
This was such a great read! I really enjoyed her YA books, and I was excited to see what her adult one would be. I had a really great time in this world of Orquídea Divina, and her particular magic, and I loved reading her story, and the story of her descendents! 

I did listen to this one on audiobook, but I did look at the ebook at points to read the details slower, to imprint them on my mind. And I'm glad I did, because there was a family tree at the beginning of the book, so I could see how this whole family was related, because Orquídea had a lot of husbands-and kids! 

I really enjoyed the way that this book was told, going back and forth between Orquídea's past, and her descendents' present, or those that are relevant to what was currently going on. We mainly had Marimar, though Ray and Tatinelly also got perspectives.

We know that something bad happened, that's why Orquídea was the way that she was. That she was hiding a first husband, and a first child, that someone was after them, I wanted to know how all that went down. And how it all connected, man, it was a bit of a heartbreaking story, but I really enjoyed it! 

This was a really great read, and I can't wait to read more by Zoraida Córdova!

Author: Zoraida Córdova
Read: September 29th, 2022
Source: Library 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2022 Book and a WoW Book!
Publisher: Atria Books 
Published: September 7th 2021
5/5 Hearts
5/5 Books
5/5 Stars

Thursday, September 29, 2022

SeasonAthon Academy Update 17

So I read my next book for SeasonAthon Academy, and it was The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina which was for the prompt HIST 2820, and I'll be reading Deadline next! 

My Reading Journey:

The Chariot at Dusk by Swati Teerdhala
Prompt Fulfilled: CLAS 3960 
Started On: September 1st
Finished On: September 1st, 11:24 AM
Pages Read: 432

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2260
Started On: September 1st
Finished On: September 1st, 4:43 PM
Pages Read: 340

Roomies by Christina Lauren
Prompt Fulfilled: COMM 2200
Started On: September 2nd
Finished On: September 2nd, 1:02 PM
Pages Read: 368

Tomes Apprentice by Honor Raconteur
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2210
Started On: September 3rd
Finished On: September 3rd, 10:26 PM
Pages Read: 254

Master of Tomes by Honor Raconteur
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2010
Started On: September 4th
Finished On: September 4th, 7:50 PM
Pages Read: 268

Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2450
Started On: September 7th
Finished On: September 7th, 10:22 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2350
Started On: September 9th
Finished On: September 9th, 10:00 PM
Pages Read: 331

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 1110
Started On: September 10th
Finished On: September 10th, 3:53 PM
Pages Read: 336

Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Prompt Fulfilled: ENGL 1010
Started On: September 10th
Finished On: September 10th, 9:30 PM
Pages Read: 384

Vengeance of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Prompt Fulfilled: MATH 1010
Started On: September 15th
Finished On: September 15th, 8:17 PM
Pages Read: 416

Baptism of Fire by Andrzej Sapkowski
Prompt Fulfilled: FLNG 1020
Started On: September 18th
Finished On: September 18th, 8:36 PM
Pages Read: 378

We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2440
Started On: September 19th
Finished On: September 19th, 8:41 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 1011
Started On: September 20th
Finished On: September 20th, 5:02 PM
Pages Read: 384

Go Hunt Me by Kelly deVos
Prompt Fulfilled: FLNG 1010
Started On: September 23rd
Finished On: September 23rd, 4:32 PM
Pages Read: 304

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2850
Started On: September 23rd
Finished On: September 23rd, 8:13 PM
Pages Read: 400

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 1030
Started On: September 26th
Finished On: September 26th, 8:22 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2820
Started On: September 29th
Finished On: September 29th, 1:55 PM
Pages Read: 336

Deadline by Mira Grant
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2510
Started On: September 30th
Currently On: Page 0 of 584

Prompts Left: MLNG 1050
Read: 17
Pages Read: 6071

Third Sentence Thursday #581, September 29th

Create your own banner at mybannermaker.com!


Third Sentence Thursday is a weekly meme which likes to watch fireworks especially while eating a cookie!
1) Take the book you are currently reading and open it to a random page. Share the third full sentence on that page. (If there isn't a third one – like at the end of a chapter or a blank page – you can share the third sentence of the book or just choose another random page.) Feel free to share more than one sentence, if you feel the need to do so.
2) Review this sentence anyway you want (funny and silly reviews encouraged)
3) Post a link to your sentence at Words I Write Crazy (This Blog)
4) Visit one or two of the other blogs to check out their third sentences!

"She grimaced and set down the porcelain cup." -The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova, page 20.

That doesn't sound great! Must read more now! What are your guy's 3rd lines? Link up below!

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

WWW Wednesday #598, September 28th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you'll read next?

Thanks to MizB of Should Be Writing now A Daily Rhythm for starting this meme! And thanks now to Taking on a World of Words for reviving it! 

I'm currently reading Stealing Infinity, and I'm really enjoying it! 
I read The Golden Enclaves, and it was such an amazing read! 
I'm going to be reading The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina, and I can't wait, it sounds really great! 

What about you guys? Happy reading!

Monday, September 26, 2022

SeasonAthon Academy Update 16

So I read my next book for SeasonAthon Academy, and it was Blood Scion which was for the prompt HIST 1030, and I'll be reading The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina next! 

My Reading Journey:

The Chariot at Dusk by Swati Teerdhala
Prompt Fulfilled: CLAS 3960 
Started On: September 1st
Finished On: September 1st, 11:24 AM
Pages Read: 432

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2260
Started On: September 1st
Finished On: September 1st, 4:43 PM
Pages Read: 340

Roomies by Christina Lauren
Prompt Fulfilled: COMM 2200
Started On: September 2nd
Finished On: September 2nd, 1:02 PM
Pages Read: 368

Tomes Apprentice by Honor Raconteur
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2210
Started On: September 3rd
Finished On: September 3rd, 10:26 PM
Pages Read: 254

Master of Tomes by Honor Raconteur
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2010
Started On: September 4th
Finished On: September 4th, 7:50 PM
Pages Read: 268

Desperation in Death by J.D. Robb
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2450
Started On: September 7th
Finished On: September 7th, 10:22 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Time of Contempt by Andrzej Sapkowski
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 2350
Started On: September 9th
Finished On: September 9th, 10:00 PM
Pages Read: 331

Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty
Prompt Fulfilled: PHIL 1110
Started On: September 10th
Finished On: September 10th, 3:53 PM
Pages Read: 336

Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Prompt Fulfilled: ENGL 1010
Started On: September 10th
Finished On: September 10th, 9:30 PM
Pages Read: 384

Vengeance of the Demon by Diana Rowland
Prompt Fulfilled: MATH 1010
Started On: September 15th
Finished On: September 15th, 8:17 PM
Pages Read: 416

Baptism of Fire by Andrzej Sapkowski
Prompt Fulfilled: FLNG 1020
Started On: September 18th
Finished On: September 18th, 8:36 PM
Pages Read: 378

We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2440
Started On: September 19th
Finished On: September 19th, 8:41 PM
Pages Read: 368

The Scoundrel Falls Hard by Sophie Jordan
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 1011
Started On: September 20th
Finished On: September 20th, 5:02 PM
Pages Read: 384

Go Hunt Me by Kelly deVos
Prompt Fulfilled: FLNG 1010
Started On: September 23rd
Finished On: September 23rd, 4:32 PM
Pages Read: 304

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2850
Started On: September 23rd
Finished On: September 23rd, 8:13 PM
Pages Read: 400

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 1030
Started On: September 26th
Finished On: September 26th, 8:22 PM
Pages Read: 432

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Prompt Fulfilled: HIST 2820
Started On: September 
Currently On: Page 0 of 336

Prompts Left: HIST 2510, MLNG 1050
Read: 16
Pages Read: 5735

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Waiting on Wednesday #537, August 25th

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!
 
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Inheritance Games

The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions—including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons. 

Thanks to a DNA test, Avery knows that she’s not a Hawthorne by blood, but clues pile up hinting at a deeper connection to the family than she had ever imagined. As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, two of the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture—by any means necessary. 

With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, Knives Out-like family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike.

Forgotten in Death by J.D. Robb
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
In the latest novel in the #1 New York Times bestselling series, homicide detective Eve Dallas sifts through the wreckage of the past to find a killer.

The body was left in a dumpster like so much trash, the victim a woman of no fixed address, known for offering paper flowers in return for spare change—and for keeping the cops informed of any infractions she witnessed on the street. But the notebook where she scribbled her intel on litterers and other such offenders is nowhere to be found.

Then Eve is summoned away to a nearby building site to view more remains—in this case decades old, adorned with gold jewelry and fine clothing—unearthed by recent construction work. She isn’t happy when she realizes that the scene of the crime belongs to her husband, Roarke—not that it should surprise her, since the Irish billionaire owns a good chunk of New York. Now Eve must enter a complex world of real estate development, family history, shady deals, and shocking secrets to find justice for two women whose lives were thrown away…

High Stakes by Iris Johansen
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
All bets are off as #1 New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen introduces gambler Logan Tanner, a man with a secret past that’s about to come back to haunt him.

Logan Tanner lives the exhilarating life of a professional gambler, taking risks with nerves of steel. From casinos in Macau to Monte Carlo to Milan, he’s racked up a fortune and become a living legend. But all the glitz and glamor hide a dark and violent past as an extractor—a world that comes rushing back to him when the beautiful and innocent Lara Balkon enters his life.

Soon Logan is drawn into the conflict between two Russian mafia bosses over Lara, whose life now hangs in the balance. Logan has been offered something more valuable to him than money—information he desperately needs—in exchange for getting Lara out of Russia and to safety. Once together, Tanner discovers that Lara is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Tanner’s search for the truth leads them to the bright lights of Las Vegas. Where the person who was hunting Lara now lies in wait for them.

With the stakes climbing with each deadly confrontation, Logan and Lara are soon catapulted into a game against pure evil. The odds are stacked against them, but it’s a game they know they must play…even if it may cost them their lives. 

The Bones of Ruin by Sarah Raughley 
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
As an African tightrope dancer in Victorian London, Iris is used to being strange. She is certainly a strange sight for leering British audiences always eager for the spectacle of colonial curiosity. But Iris also has a secret that even “strange” doesn’t capture…​

She cannot die.

Haunted by her unnatural power and with no memories of her past, Iris is obsessed with discovering who she is. But that mission gets more complicated when she meets the dark and alluring Adam Temple, a member of a mysterious order called the Enlightenment Committee. Adam seems to know much more about her than he lets on, and he shares with her a terrifying revelation: the world is ending, and the Committee will decide who lives…and who doesn’t.

To help them choose a leader for the upcoming apocalypse, the Committee is holding the Tournament of Freaks, a macabre competition made up of vicious fighters with fantastical abilities. Adam wants Iris to be his champion, and in return he promises her the one thing she wants most: the truth about who she really is.

If Iris wants to learn about her shadowy past, she has no choice but to fight. But the further she gets in the grisly tournament, the more she begins to remember—and the more she wonders if the truth is something best left forgotten. 

What Once Was Mine by Liz Brazwell
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
The 12th installment in the New York Times best-selling series asks: What if Rapunzel's mother drank a potion from the wrong flower?

Desperate to save the life of their queen and her unborn child, the good people of Corona search for the all-healing Sundrop flower to cure her—but mistakenly acquire the shimmering Moondrop flower instead. Nonetheless it heals the queen, and she delivers a healthy baby girl with hair as silver and gray as the moon. With it comes dangerous magical powers: the power to hurt, not heal. For her safety and the safety of the kingdom, Rapunzel is locked in a tower and put under the care of powerful goodwife, Mother Gothel.


For eighteen years Rapunzel stays locked away, knowing she must protect others from her magical hair. But when she leaves the only home she's ever known, wanting only to see the floating lights that appear on her birthday, she gets caught up in an adventure across the kingdom with two thieves—a young woman named Gina, and Flynn Rider, a rogue on the run. Before she can reach her happy ending, Rapunzel learns that there may be more to her story, and her magical tresses, than she ever knew.

Witch Please by Ann Aguirre
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Danica Waterhouse is a fully modern witch—daughter, granddaughter, cousin, and co-owner of the Fix-It Witches, a magical tech repair shop. After a messy breakup that included way too much family “feedback,” Danica made a pact with her cousin: they’ll keep their hearts protected and have fun, without involving any of the overly opinionated Waterhouse matriarchs. Danica is more than a little exhausted navigating a long-standing family feud where Gram thinks the only good mundane is a dead one and Danica’s mother weaves floral crowns for anyone who crosses her path.

Three blocks down from the Fix-It Witches, Titus Winnaker, owner of Sugar Daddy’s bakery, has family trouble of his own. After a tragic loss, all he’s got left is his sister, the bakery, and a lifetime of terrible luck in love. Sure, business is sweet, but he can’t seem to shake the romantic curse that’s left him past thirty and still a virgin. He’s decided he’s doomed to be forever alone.

Until he meets Danica Waterhouse. The sparks are instant, their attraction irresistible. For him, she’s the one. To her, he’s a firebomb thrown in the middle of a family war. Can a modern witch find love with an old-fashioned mundane who refuses to settle for anything less than forever?

Murder by the Bookend by Laura Gail Black
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Antiquarian bookseller Jenna Quinn sleuths again when a pair of glass bookends puts an end to a librarian's life, in this second installment of Laura Gail Black's cozy series.

The quaint warehouse district of Hokes Folly, NC, is hopping despite the drizzly November chill. The occasion? The mountain town's beloved antiquarian bookstore, Twice Upon a Time, is throwing a bash for its grand reopening. But bookseller Jenna Quinn's peace of mind is shattered when the local library's Director of Antique Books turns up dead in the parking lot--his head bashed in by a glittering pair of vintage glass bookends.

As they examine the murder scene, Jenna and her police detective boyfriend happen upon the only witness--the victim's dog, who flees the scene leaving a trail of bloody footprints behind. If only dogs could speak, Jenna might be able to make quick work of the murder case and get back to stocking her bookcases.

Alas, finding the killer won't be so easy, even though this is not Jenna's first murder investigation--indeed, she inherited Twice Upon a Time from her slain uncle. The suspect list is voluminous--the late librarian had not-so-friendly run-ins with numerous guests--but suspicion eventually centers on three unsavory individuals who left the party shortly before the victim did.

Now, Jenna must edit her inventory of suspects from three names to one, before the bloodthirsty bookend-wielder becomes the author of Jenna's demise.

The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman, Isabel Allende, and Sarah Addison Allen, this is a gorgeously written novel about a family searching for the truth hidden in their past and the power they’ve inherited, from the author of the acclaimed and “giddily exciting” (The New York Times Book Review) Brooklyn Brujas series.

The Montoyas are used to a life without explanations. They know better than to ask why the pantry never seems to run low or empty, or why their matriarch won’t ever leave their home in Four Rivers—even for graduations, weddings, or baptisms. But when Orquídea Divina invites them to her funeral and to collect their inheritance, they hope to learn the secrets that she has held onto so tightly their whole lives. Instead, Orquídea is transformed, leaving them with more questions than answers.

Seven years later, her gifts have manifested in different ways for Marimar, Rey, and Tatinelly’s daughter, Rhiannon, granting them unexpected blessings. But soon, a hidden figure begins to tear through their family tree, picking them off one by one as it seeks to destroy Orquídea’s line. Determined to save what’s left of their family and uncover the truth behind their inheritance, the four descendants travel to Ecuador—to the place where Orquídea buried her secrets and broken promises and never looked backed.

Alternating between Orquídea’s past and her descendants’ present, The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina is an enchanting novel about what we knowingly and unknowingly inherit from our ancestors, the ties that bind, and reclaiming your power.

We Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Kyrie McCauley, author of If These Wings Could Fly, delivers a powerful contemporary YA novel about a trio of girls fighting for each other in the aftermath of a school shooting and the lasting bonds of friendship. Perfect for fans of Laura Ruby and Mindy McGinnis.

“Welcome to Bell, proud home of Bell Firearms for two hundred years, and where five months ago, the teen heir to the Bell fortune took his father’s guns to school and killed his ex-girlfriend, Cassandra Queen.” —WE CAN BE HEROES PODCAST

Beck and Vivian never could stand each other, but they always tried their best for their mutual friend, Cassie. After the town moves on from Cassie’s murder too fast, Beck and Vivian finally find common ground: vengeance. They memorialize Cassie by secretly painting murals of her around town, a message to the world that Cassie won’t be forgotten. But Beck and Vivian are keeping secrets, like the third passenger riding in Beck’s VW bus with them—Cassie’s ghost.

When their murals catch the attention of a podcaster covering Cassie’s case, they become the catalyst for a debate that Bell Firearms can no longer ignore. With law enforcement closing in on them, Beck and Vivian hurry to give Cassie the closure she needs—by delivering justice to those responsible for her death.

The Buried by Melissa Grey
Expected Publication: September 7th, 2021
From Goodreads:
A heart-pounding, claustrophobic new story from Melissa Grey, the author of RATED.

Ten years ago, disaster struck the remote town of Indigo Falls. A horrific event drove the residents underground, into shelters that keep them safe from the danger on the surface. No one speaks about what happened that fateful day, but even the youngest still remember the fear and, most of all, the searing pain when sunlight touched their skin.

Now, a handfull of families inhabit this bunker together, guided by a charismatic leader named Dr. Imogen Moran. There are many rules Dr. Moran has instilled to govern life belowground. You must always tell the truth. You must avoid the light of the sun. You must never touch skin to skin.

But the most important rule, the one that was drilled into their heads from the moment the hatch slammed shut all those years ago, was at the very end of the list. It rattled around in their skulls when all was silent, echoing in the quiet, lonely dark.

You must never go outside.

Oh man! These books! I'm  so excited for all of them, I need to read some of these right now! But oh, I need The Hawthorne Legacy! And creating this post told me about We Can Be Heroes, and I got it, and now I really want to read it now! What about you guys? Happy reading!

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Waiting on Wednesday #519, April 21st

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!

The Gravedigger's Son by Darynda Jones
Expected Publication: May 11th, 2021
From Goodreads:
From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Darynda Jones comes a new story in her Charley Davidson series…

The job should have been easy.

Get in. Assess the situation. Get out. But for veteran tracker Quentin Rutherford, things get sticky when the girl he’s loved since puberty shows up, conducting her own investigation into the strange occurrences of the small, New Mexico town. He knew it would be a risk coming back to the area, but he had no idea Amber Kowalski had become a bona fide PI, investigating things that go bump in the night. He shouldn’t be surprised, however. She can see through the dead as clearly as he can. The real question is, can she see through him?

But is anything that’s worth it ever easy?

To say that Amber is shocked to see her childhood crush would be the understatement of her fragile second life. One look at him tells her everything she needs to know. He’s changed. So drastically she barely recognizes him. He is savage now, a hardened—in all the right places—demon hunter, and she is simply the awkward, lovestruck girl he left behind.

But she doesn’t have time to dwell on the past. A supernatural entity has set up shop, and it’s up to them to stop it before it kills again.

While thousands of questions burn inside her, she has to put her concern over him, over what he’s become, aside for now. Because he’s about to learn one, undeniable fact: she’s changed, too.


Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova
Expected Publication: May 11th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Reeling from betrayal at the hands of the Whispers, Renata Convida is a girl on the run. With few options and fewer allies, she's reluctantly joined forces with none other than Prince Castian, her most infuriating and intriguing enemy. They're united by lofty goals: find the fabled Knife of Memory, kill the ruthless King Fernando, and bring peace to the nation. Together, Ren and Castian have a chance to save everything, if only they can set aside their complex and intense feelings for each other.

With the king's forces on their heels at every turn, their quest across Puerto Leones and beyond leaves little room for mistakes. But the greatest danger is within Ren. The Gray, her fortress of stolen memories, has begun to crumble, threatening her grip on reality. She'll have to control her magics--and her mind--to unlock her power and protect the Moria people once and for all.

For years, she was wielded as weapon. Now it's her time to fight back. 

Angel of the Overpass by Seanan McGuire
Expected Publication: May 11th, 2021
From Goodreads:
Lady of shadows, keeper of changes, plant the seeds of faith within me, that I might grow and flourish, that I might find my way through danger and uncertainty to the safety of your garden. Let my roots grow strong and my skin grow thick, that I might stand fast against all who would destroy me. Grant to me your favor, grant to me your grace, and when my time is done, grant to me the wisdom to lay my burdens down and rest beside you, one more flower in a sea of blooms, where nothing shall ever trouble me again.

Rose Marshall died when she was sixteen years old and on her way to her high school prom. She hasn’t been resting easy since then—Bobby Cross, the man who killed her, got away clean after running her off the road, and she’s not the kind of girl who can let something like that slide. She’s been looking for a way to stop him since before they put her body in the ground.

But things have changed in the twilight world where the spirits of the restless dead continue their “lives.” The crossroads have been destroyed, and Bobby’s protections are gone. For the first time, it might be possible for Rose to defeat him.

Not alone, though. She’ll need every friend she’s managed to make and every favor she’s managed to add to her account if she wants to stand a chance…and this may be her last chance to be avenged, since what is Bobby Cross without the crossroads?

Everything Rose knows is about to change.

These are 3 books that I'm so very excited to read! I can't wait for them to come out! What about you guys? Happy reading! 

Monday, August 31, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading #482, August 31st

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week...and anything in between! This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well...you never know where that next "must read" book will come from!

What happened in the past week:

Weekly Memes:
It's Monday! What Are You Reading #481
Teaser Tuesday #489
WWW Wednesday #489
WOW #485
Will the Time Come #482
Third Sentence Thursday #472
Random Reads #458
First Lines Friday #485
Book Blogger Hop #151
The Reward Challenge Update #467
Wheel of TBR #14
How Well I Stuck to It #319
Wrote that Review Update #316

Week 35 Reviews:
Wayward Witch
The Handmaid's Tale
Into the Real
A Sanctuary of Spirits
For Whom the Book Tolls
The Emperor's Soul
Legendborn
Soul of the Sword
Dragon Untameable
Warriors of Wing and Flame

OK, so I got 63 posts in 7 days, I read a good deal, and had a good chunk of free time, so got a lot of blogging done as well, so it was a really great week! And Dobby is doing well, and he gets his stitches out on the 2nd, so I'm very happy with that! What about you guys? Happy reading!

So this week I want to read Emerald Blaze, The Mysterious Study of Doctor Sex, Harrow the Ninth, The Inheritance Games, No Offense, Vicious, and You.

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. 

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart. 
Each of the Empire's houses keeps secrets, even from themselves. For the bookish academics of the Sixth, every secret is a mystery, and every mystery is a puzzle to be solved or a paper to be published. Deep in the bowels of their house, one such secret is about to reveal itself. The study of the famed academic Donald Sex, sealed since the moment of his death, is about to open, and archivists are ready to dissect what he left behind. They are not ready for the macabre surprise that awaits them.

Enter Palamedes Sextus and Camilla Hect, age thirteen.
Harrow the Ninth, the sequel to the sensational, USA today best-selling novel Gideon the Ninth, turns a galaxy inside out as one necromancer struggles to survive the wreckage of herself aboard the Emperor's haunted space station.

She answered the Emperor's call.

She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend.

In victory, her world has turned to ash.

After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman's shoulders.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath — but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.

Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor's Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?
A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.

Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why--or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man's touch--and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.

Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he's determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather's last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.
New York Times -bestselling author Meg Cabot's returns with a charming romance between a children's librarian and the town sheriff in the second book in the Little Bridge Island series.

Welcome to Little Bridge, one of the smallest, most beautiful islands in the Florida Keys, home to sandy white beaches, salt-rimmed margaritas, and stunning sunsets—a place where nothing goes under the radar and love has a way of sneaking up when least expected...

A broken engagement only gave Molly Montgomery additional incentive to follow her dream job from the Colorado Rockies to the Florida Keys. Now, as Little Bridge Island Public Library's head of children’s services, Molly hopes the messiest thing in her life will be her sticky-note covered desk. But fate—in the form of a newborn left in the restroom—has other ideas. So does the sheriff who comes to investigate the "abandonment".  When John Hartwell folds all six-feet-three of himself into a tiny chair and insists that whoever left the baby is a criminal, Molly begs to differ and asks what he's doing about the Island's real crime wave (if thefts of items from homes that have been left unlocked could be called that). Not the best of starts, but the man's arrogance is almost as distracting as his blue eyes. Almost…

John would be pretty irritated if one of his deputies had a desk as disorderly as Molly's. Good thing she doesn't work for him, considering how attracted he is to her. Molly's lilting librarian voice makes even the saltiest remarks go down sweeter, which is bad as long as she's a witness but might be good once the case is solved—provided he hasn’t gotten on her last nerve by then. Recently divorced, John has been having trouble adjusting to single life as well as single parenthood. But something in Molly's beautiful smile gives John hope that his old life on Little Bridge might suddenly hold new promise—if only they can get over their differences.

Clever, hilarious, and fun, No Offense will tug at readers' heartstrings and make them fall in love with Little Bridge Island and its unique characters once again.
A masterful, twisted tale of ambition, jealousy, betrayal, and superpowers, set in a near-future world.

Victor and Eli started out as college roommates—brilliant, arrogant, lonely boys who recognized the same sharpness and ambition in each other. In their senior year, a shared research interest in adrenaline, near-death experiences, and seemingly supernatural events reveals an intriguing possibility: that under the right conditions, someone could develop extraordinary abilities. But when their thesis moves from the academic to the experimental, things go horribly wrong.

Ten years later, Victor breaks out of prison, determined to catch up to his old friend (now foe), aided by a young girl whose reserved nature obscures a stunning ability. Meanwhile, Eli is on a mission to eradicate every other super-powered person that he can find—aside from his sidekick, an enigmatic woman with an unbreakable will. Armed with terrible power on both sides, driven by the memory of betrayal and loss, the archnemeses have set a course for revenge—but who will be left alive at the end?

In Vicious, V. E. Schwab brings to life a gritty comic-book-style world in vivid prose: a world where gaining superpowers doesn't automatically lead to heroism, and a time when allegiances are called into question.
When a beautiful aspiring writer strides into the East Village bookstore where Joe Goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he Googles the name on her credit card.

There is only one Guinevere Beck in New York City. She has a public Facebook account and Tweets incessantly, telling Joe everything he needs to know: she is simply Beck to her friends, she went to Brown University, she lives on Bank Street, and she'll be at a bar in Brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a "chance" meeting.

As Joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of Beck's life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure Beck finds herself in his waiting arms. Moving from stalker to boyfriend, Joe transforms himself into Beck's perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder.

A terrifying exploration of how vulnerable we all are to stalking and manipulation, debut author Caroline Kepnes delivers a razor-sharp novel for our hyper-connected digital age.