November Book Wrap Up!

Books Pledged to Read in 2015:

150

Am I On Track: 

16 books behind

Books Read So Far: 

121

Total Books For November:

6

Leveled 

Winter

How I Found You

Body Check

Pride and Prejudice (Re-Read)

Pure (Re-Read)

Elixir (Re-Read)

Deity (Re-Read)

Magnus Chase: The Sword of Summer 

Apollyon (Re-Read)

A Great and Terrible Beauty (Re-Read)

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Fictional Crush of the Week-Aidan St. Delphi from The Covenant Series

I hope you’re all having an AMAZING weekend! Enjoy this week’s Fictional Crush!

As always, viagra buy remember that these WILL have MILD spoilers for the series that they are from!

Character Name:

Aidan St. Delphi

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Book or Series They Appear In:

The Covenant Series

Half Blood, Pure, Deity, Elixir, Apollyon, Sentinel

Author/Creator:

Jennifer L. Armentrout

Played By: 

No One…Yet. The Covenant Series has been optioned for a TV series so hopefully we get a visual of Aidan soon!

Who They Are:

Aidan St. Delphi is the secondary character to Alex in the Covenant series. He is a pure, but chooses to become a fighter, a Sentinel, who fights to protect pures. He is serious, with a rare sense of humor around those he cares about, and is a fighter, and a handsome one at that. He’s all dark, except for his shining silver eyes. He’s dedicated to his job, and to his brother, who he is determined to keep safe and happy. He is so distance in the beginning, to protect Alex and to convince her that he has no feelings toward her, so we get that dark and mysterious hot guy thing going on.

But when Alex and Aidan finally do end up together, he is so incredible. He is sweet and protective, but he trusts in Alex and he believes in her strength and her capabilities. He says amazing things and does so many things for her, makes sacrifices and works so hard for her. Plus, the hot and steamy scenes? I was fanning myself quite a few times during those. They are HOT, and Aidan has some serious confidence, and some sexy  moves in the bedroom. I’m just saying. Its no wonder Alex fell in love with him.

Why I Am Crushing On Them: 

Aidan St. Delphi is one of those guys who is so sexy, so caring, so amazing and perfect for the MC and yet he puts it off for so long and you want to bonk him over the head. But for some reason, this guy who does this, distances himself from the main character, to protect her…is so incredibly appealing. Aidan is a pure and Alex is a half, which is a completely NO-NO in that world, and it’ll hurt Alex big time and Aidan doesn’t want that happening to her. So he pushes her away again and again and again, and even though it drives you insane, you love the guy anyway. He’s only doing it for HER.

Notable Quotes: 

“By the way,” Aiden said casting me a long look that had me totally forgetting the seriousness of our mission. “You look damn good in a Sentinel uniform.”

“Apollo had said he knew what this kind of love was capable of. And I finally understood why Paris had risked his country and his blood for Helen. Selfish, yes, but I understood. I would burn the world if that meant Alex would be safe.”

“I swore to you that I wouldn’t let that happen, and I know I’ve failed you, but I’m not going to just give up, Alex. I’ll never give up on you.”

“The ‘I have something I want to say but I shouldn’t’ tone” A little bit of humor seeped into his voice. “I’m well familiar with it.”

“That’s okay,” Apollo replied, smiling at him in a wholly creepy’ hide your kids’ kind of way. “When you least expect it, I’m going to turn you into a a pink flower that smells like cat pee.”

“Because I love you, we share each other’s problems. When we fight, we fight together. I’m going to be by your side no matter what, whether you like it or not. That’s what love is, Alex. You never have to face anything alone again. And I get what you’re saying. I don’t agree with it, but I will support you in any way I can.”

“I can’t keep pretending that I don’t want this – that I don’t want you. I can’t. Not after what happened to you. I thought… I thought I’d lost you, Alex, forever. And I would’ve lost everything. You are my everything.” 

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I hope you enjoyed this week’s swoon worthy character! Tune in next week for some more fictional hotties!

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout Review

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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You Can Find the Book At:

GoodReads

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Author Website

 

GoodReads Summary:

As the mortal world slowly slips into chaos of the godly kind, treatment Alexandria Andros must overcome a stunning defeat that has left her shaken and in doubt of their ability to end this war once and for all.

And with all the obstacles between Alex and her happily-ever-after with the swoon worthy Aiden St. Delphi, information pills they must now trust a deadly foe as they travel deep into the Underworld to release one of the most dangerous gods of all time.

In the stunning, thumb action-packed climax to the bestselling Covenant series, Alex must face a terrible choice: the destruction of everything and everyone she holds dear… or the end of herself.

My Review:

Please be aware while this review will NOT have spoilers for Sentinel, I cannot in any way guarantee there will not be spoilers for Half-Blood, Pure, Deity, Elixir or Apollyon. Please visit my book reviews page to read those! 

I’m not sure what I expected when I was reading this book but every single thing that happened was completely not in my line of expectations. I could call Sentinel the book of plot twists. There were so many surprises at every turn that there is no way on earth I could have ever predicted how this story would go. But that was a good thing! This novel was an emotional roller coaster taking us from hot and steamy scenes between Alex and Aidan into epic battles and fight scenes to completely emotional moments that made you want to cry. Every page was a surprise, taking us further into the unexpected, and you keep reading, because you just HAVE to know what happens next.

Jennifer creates a beautiful story, to wrap up a five book series. Do you know how hard it is to write a five book series and keep an audience captivated until the very last page? Its incredibly hard, and I think there’s a lot of authors that struggle with this. This is why, sometimes, when I read series, I find myself feeling less interested and less captivated as I get further in the series. This is so opposite for the Covenant series and especially of Sentinel. I am addicted until the very last page, where tears were running down my face, in sadness, in happiness, in completely satisfaction.

She takes the story that we’ve come so familiar with in the past four novels and two novellas, and creates an ending that is both very believable and very realistic but that would make any reader of the series feel like she did right by her story and her characters. The journey that the characters take is a rough one. They must face down Ares, a vindictive, determined, extremely powerful god, and his legion of half bloods and pures and compelled mortals, as well as Alex’s Apollyon counterpart, Seth. And the direction the story takes them, all of them, is a surprise to me. I can’t say too much without ruining any of the story but the outcomes of certain characters were definitely unexpected but seemed to fit perfectly with the story, and the events that take place in this finale.

Plus, Jennifer just tells great stories. She writes an action scene, and you’re clutching the pages in excitement while simultaneously Googling how to learn hand to hand combat. She weaves humor into almost every moment in her novel, keeping us still breathing, even when our hearts are breaking. She understands friendships and family, sacrifice, and battle and war, she understands romance and she understands fear and love and bravery and selfishness and so many other emotions and she can put so many of those into the stories, and it all feels so real.

And she can write a steamy scene like no body else. She is able to write a beautiful, romantic, hot and heavy scene that leaves you blushing and wishing very much for a cold shower, but she keeps it tasteful and classy, and in a way that fits so perfectly in her young adult novels. She addresses it responsibly, of course, but she knows that two people in love, whether they’re teenagers or adults, are going to experience that sort of intimacy and she does it so beautifully. Any time that Alex and Aidan share a steamy scene, I felt myself getting more comfortable and diving in, because she is SO good at romance, and because I love Aidan and Alex, and I LOVE them as a couple.

Simply put, any fan of this series is going to be so satisfied by the end of this novel. I thought it was an incredibly fitting ending, for all of the characters, and I felt like, while there was a heartbreak, there was also hope and happiness as well. I think it wraps up the story very well, but also shows that the story can continue as well, in our own minds and hearts and I think that’s beautiful. Definitely a must read for fans, you will most definitely enjoy it!

Rating:

5 out of 5 stars

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Sentinel Book Tour-Apollyon

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Tomorrow is a VERY exciting day, mind at least if you’re a Jennifer L. Armentrout fan.

The final book in the Covenant series will be released: Sentinel. I’m SO excited for this. I just recently read all the books of that series, cialis 40mg in September, and I loved each and every one of them. I’ve been eagerly waiting for the release of Sentinel :) I can’t imagine how all of YOU have been waiting even longer!

I am lucky enough to be participating in the Sentinel blog tour. With Sentinel releasing tomorrow (insert happy squeal), I am happy to bring you a post on the book just previous to it, Apollyon!

First, let’s learn a little bit about Jennifer!

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# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia. 

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true. 

Well, mostly. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don’t Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen. 

Jennifer also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name J. Lynn. The Gamble Brothers Series (Tempting the Best Man/Tempting the Player) and Wait for You. Under her pen name, she is published with Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.
You can find her on her website, Twitter, Facebook and GoodReads.
Now, her Covenant series tells the story of Alex, a demi-god known as a half-blood. In Alex’s world, being a half-blood is not a good thing, and she must train to become a Sentinel, a sort of protection force, or she will be made into a servant, a slave. Alex struggles to keep herself on track, one step outside the line will land her in trouble, and all her freedom will be taken away. Then she discovers she is the next Apollyon, a sort of powerful half-blood, with the possibilities of killing a god. This leads to a whole world of trouble, but Alex is determined to use her powers for good, and to change the world for half-bloods.
Apollyon is the fourth book of the series.
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Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

You can purchase this book on GoodReads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

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You can check out my reviews for the entire Covenant series: Half Blood, Pure, Deity, and of course, Apollyon.

In just a few days, I shall have a review for Sentinel AND an interview with Jennifer, as well. I hope you stayed tuned for that!

But until then, Spencer Hill Press is having an awesome giveaway, where one lucky reader will win a $200 gift card to Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Book Depository or an indie bookstore of their choice! You can’t go wrong with that!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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September Book Wrap Up!

Okay, viagra approved I totally copied this from my fangirl best friend, Sylvia, from FanGirlFeeels, so I want to show her much credit. Check out her own September Book Wrap Up here!

I think I want to start doing this every month because I read a LOT of books in a month and I want to be able to share at the end of the month, all the books I’ve read and reviewed in one spot. Click on each book title to read my review of it!

So here we go!

Books Pledged to Read in 2013: 200 Books

Read so Far: 150

On Track?: For once, yes!

The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

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The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp

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The Transfer by Veronica Roth

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Angelfall by Susan Ee

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Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini 

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Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 

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The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

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Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

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Burn for Burn by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian 

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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey 

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Half Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout 

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Saving Raphael Santiago by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan

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3:59 by Gretchen McNeil

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Pure by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Elixir by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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What books did you read in September? What were some of your favorites, and which ones fell flat? As always, share in the comments! 

Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review

Deity by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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You Can Find the Book At:

GoodReads

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Author Website

GoodReads Summary:

“History is on repeat, discount and things didn’t go so well the last time. “

Alexandria isn’t sure she’s going to make it to her eighteenth birthday–to her Awakening. A long-forgotten, sick fanatical order is out to kill her, and if the Council ever discovers what she did in the Catskills, she’s a goner… and so is Aiden. 

If that’s not freaky enough, whenever Alex and Seth spend time “training”–which really is just Seth’s code word for some up-close and personal one-on-one time–she ends up with another mark of the Apollyon, which brings her one step closer to Awakening ahead of schedule. Awesome. 

But as her birthday draws near, her entire world shatters with a startling revelation and she’s caught between love and Fate. One will do anything to protect her. One has been lying to her since the beginning. Once the gods have revealed themselves, unleashing their wrath, lives will be irrevocably changed… and destroyed. 

Those left standing will discover if love is truly greater than Fate…

My Review:

Please note that while this review will NOT have spoilers for this novel, it most likely will have spoilers for the first novel, Half Blood. You can read the review for that here. It may also include spoilers for the second book, Pure, the review of which can be read here. 

Is it possible to give this book 6 stars out of 5? Seriously. I keep thinking that this series canNOT possibly get better, and it totally gets better.

This one is SO steamy, and what I have waited for has finally happened, but not easily, of course. Sigh. I need to move on to the next book.

This book feels like the climax, which makes me wonder what happens in Apollyon to need Sentinel as the final book. There is so much build up, so much tension, so much electricity, and Alex is smack in the middle of it. She has so much to deal with. Her mother and best friend are dead. People hate her. She has to go Council, where half bloods aren’t exactly welcome. She is madly in love with Aidan but her bond with Seth makes her attracted to him as well. She has to train as a Sentinel and an Apollyon, and oh yeah, there’s that whole daimon plan that her mother told her about before she died. No big deal.

So all of that put together really makes for a tense filled novel. One minute, you’re sighing as Aidan and Alex share an intimate scene (I am so rooting for Aidan St. Delphi in this series), and you’re reluctantly also sighing when Seth and Alex share a scene. You’re on the edge of your seat as Alex is treated terribly at the Council and you know there is so much more to it than you know. Her life is threatened, she almost dies. SO much is going on in this novel that it was a wonder that I didn’t finish it in a couple hours.

I really loved that the problems of the books are continuing. New problems are coming up, but its an extension of the previous problems. Jennifer Armentrout is creating a great series by creating this building issue that eventually is going to explode. I keep thinking that maybe things will be figured out and then the world gets even more mysterious and slipperier. She really knows how to build the story for you, so you can’t help but want to continue. I finished this at 3:30 am, and it took a lot of resolve to tell myself to go to bed, and that I could read the next book in the morning. She is that addicting.

Plus, can I just add how seriously sexy both Aidan and Seth are? I mean, I’m all about Aidan St. Delphi, but Seth has his moments where you’re like, “I seriously hate to love this guy.” Props to Jennifer L. Armentrout for creating these characters that make me want to fan myself.

Read these books, seriously. I’m moving on to book four now. Ciao!

Rating:

5 out of 5 stars