The Witch-Fairy Series by Bonnie Lamer

THE WITCH-FAIRY SERIES BY BONNIE LAMER 

So, I'm doing something a bit different, in the fact that I'm reviewing a WHOLE series here, but these books deserve a review and they deserve what I have to say about them (well, at least I think they do)

There are currently 10 books in the series, and here's the reading order

#1 True of Blood

#2 Blood Prophecy

#3 Blood Lines

#4 Shadow Blood

#5 Blood of Half Gods

#6 Blood of Destiny

#7 Blood of Dragons

#8 Blood of Egypt

#9 Blood of Retribution

#10 Blood of the Exiled

So, the thing that I love about these books is actually the fact that they are all pretty much stand alone books after the first one. The main character - Xandra - is a witch-fairy, as you might have gathered from the title of the series. With that comes a lot of responsibility, power and challenges. In each book, Xandra faces a new challenge, building on her powers and her knowledge of the magical universe.

The only thing that might not make sense if you skipped books would be the characters, because she picks up a couple new characters in each book with each new challenge, but after that she just builds up on her existing characters with a new challenge.

These books are easy reads that have me up until 3 in the morning whenever they come out, and has me laughing and turning just one more page...(or not!) The books are well written with fast-paced action and just enough suspense to keep you going. There aren't any hideous grammatical mistakes, or spelling mistakes, or sentences that don't work, and it all flows really well.

I love the characters and the whole idea behind it. It's not just settled on the one battle, or prophecy, or incident or something like most books are. Of course there is a central battle/prophecy/incident but it doesn't take control of the plot. It's not a quest to the end of a challenge, it's a whole lot of challenges that just keep coming. But isn't that what life is? Life isn't just going to be one humongous challenge that, once complete, goes away for the rest of forever. Life is a whole lot of challenges that let you build up yourself, your friends and family, and your life experiences. That's what Xandra's tales are, and as much as they are larger problems than ours and much different, it's a representation.

I also love, love, love, love how Bonnie doesn't end every single book with cliff-hangers. I don't know how to explain it, but sometimes cliffhangers just seem...desperate. Like, 'please, read the next book! I'm going to withhold information from you and leave it at a crucial point so you have to keep reading!' 

The way that Bonnie ends the books are gentle, open ends that leave room for you to dwell on the incidents and come to terms with what's happened and whatever and come back to the next book ready for the next challenge without feeling like you're in a perpetual state of waiting.

I mean, cmon guys. We know that authors can't spit out a book just like that and have it ready for us, and so cliffhangers are just cruel sometimes. Altogether, Bonnie's books and the way they are written are light-hearted, easy reads that just pull you back in for more with their charming characters and adventurous spirit! These books are not books to miss!

Oh, and if you're worried about getting bored with the series and stopping because 10 books are just too many, it really doesn't happen with this series. Normally I can't get passed book 5 or 6, but these are just so great I could read them for the rest of my life!!

So pick up a copy (did I mention book 1 is free at the moment?) and get reading!!

Oh, I should also mention that there are half books told from Kallens POV (if you don't know who that is then don't worry for the moment). I haven't read any of them so if you have let me know if it's good and if I read them I'll be sure to let you know what I think!

All the best!!

Queen of Reading,

Keep reading, forget the dreaming!

The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kristy Moseley

Blurb:

 Amber Walker and her older brother, Jake, have an abusive father. One night her brother's best friend, Liam, sees her crying and climbs through her bedroom window to comfort her. That one action sparks a love/hate relationship that spans over the next eight years.

Liam is now a confident, flirty player who has never had a girlfriend before. Amber is still emotionally scarred from the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father. Together they make an unlikely pair.

Their relationship has always been a rocky one, but what happens when Amber starts to view her brother's best friend a little differently? And how will her brother, who has always been a little overprotective, react when he finds out that the pair are growing closer? Find out in The Boy Who Sneaks In My Bedroom Window

My Review:

Admittedly, I write this review the second time I read this book but it's still as good as it always was :D

This is the story of Amber Walker - a teenager who has a hard past with the history of an abusive father who tried to rape her before her brother kicked him out. All together she makes the best of her situation. She and her brother and mother are extremely close but their mother is away a lot. And then there's Liam, her brothers annoying man-whore of a best friend who sleeps with her every night since they were eight. This book is about the relationship between Amber and Liam and how Amber overcomes a lot of the issues she has due to her father's nature.

This story is gorgeous - it's one of those stories that has you swooning at every turn and begging for more. Literally. I remember the first time i read it - i got about 50% through the book and I thought the book was going to finish coz it was kind of a closing point. You have no idea how happy i was when i realised there was still more to go :)

This is actually a book that has me thinking about it often and wanting to re-read it. I love books but I find it hard to re-read them because I know what happens, or because things develop and the beginning is just so different from the end. But with this book I find that I make references to it in my mind in my everyday life, and I find myself dying to re-read it just because it's so amazing and inspiring.

The writing is great - it's gripping and yet still easy language so you can read it when you're half asleep. The complex ideas are melded into the story so well that you almost don't realise what you've learned from the book because it was so heavily integrated. You come out of there going 'aww that was a sweet story, i love those characters' and you don't realise what you took from the characters until after the re-read (well, at least I didn't!)

I'd recommend this book to lots of people - not those who are obsessed with fantasy ONLY or don't like romantic stuff, but all the rest - because it's so accessible. It's a really easy book to read and it's not explicit so it still fits into the YA genre (it's getting harder and harder to find these books...) and is amazingly written!

I'd give this book 4 1/2 stars, because although it's cute and I loved it and it's well written, it doesn't grab me. I like it, but I don't feel an attachment to the characters like I normally do...I don't know why I feel this way but, eh, i'll go with the flow :D

Queen of Reading
Keep on reading, forget the dreaming

Update!!

Hey everybody and nobody that reads my blog,
(by the way if you're wondering why I sometimes start like that...it's because this blog is about being written, not read!)

So I'm sorry about not posting alot lately, but I HAVE MY REASONS!! And because that statement is never enough - yeah, you out there who always say 'I have my reasons', are you listening?! - I shall list for you my reasons below...

1. I've been in a bit of a funk lately. TOTALLY exhausted all the time and I don't have any effort to do anything. That includes reading, unfortunately. So I'd buy these super cool looking books and then open them up and after a page or so I'm yawning and looking for something else to do. I can't even write when I get in this funk! So this funk is slowly moving so hopefully I'll have a heap load of new reviews to post for you guys soon!
2. I've started a vlog! Yeah, that's write. I've been posting videos on youtube and there's just something about videoing my reviews thats addictive, I don't even know why! So, yeah! I've been making video reviews recently instead of posting! So you'll see that on the right (-->) there's a list of my videos up and the link. It's a little gadgety thing! There's also a tab up the top (^) called My Vlog that will link you to my youtube channel. So check it out!
3. I've been crazy busy! With school and homework and extra-curricular activities I've barely had any time to read anyway, and when I did I was so funked out that I just chose to lay in bed and watch the ceiling. Not a useful way to spend your time, but ehh...I enjoyed it!
4. I feel like I'm writing to a brick wall. And, yeah, this blog is about being written but it'd be nice to get some feedback and comments that aren't from me...

So, yeah. That's my list of what's going on with me and why I've been so inactive (this will also pertain to things like my goodreads account and stuff like my writing) and I hope to be more active!! So, comment and stuff. There's also a Contact Me tab up the top so PLEASE use it, even just to say hi or recommend a book or something. I check that a lot so it's not like i'll miss your message but if I don't reply within a day or so feel free to spam me :) 

And now, to finish off...

All the best,

Queen of Reading,

Keep on reading, forget the dreaming

The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman

The Jelly Bean Crisis - by Jolene Stockman

Official Blurb:

A total meltdown. The whole school watching. Now Poppy’s an ex-straight-A with no Plan B.

When Poppy Johnson throws away a full scholarship to Columbia, she can only blame the jelly beans. The yucky green ones? Midnight cram sessions and Saturday’s spent studying. The delicious red? The family legacy: Columbia, and a future in finance. Except now it’s starting to look like Poppy’s jelly bean theory is wrong. School has been her life until, but maybe it’s time to start living now.


Poppy has thirty days to try a new life. No school, no studying. Just jumping into every possible world. Thirty days to find her passion, her path, and maybe even love. The Jelly Bean Crisis is officially on.

My Review:

This book isn't something I would probably choose to read. I was introduced to the author via a post looking for authors wanting R4R's, and of course I couldn't resist having a go myself, and I'm glad I did!!

The writing isn't perfect - but then again it never is. There were a couple tense things (switching between) but I didn't really notice because I was so focused on the story. On Poppy Johnson, not on me.

This is a book of self-discovery; of testing the boundaries and discovering where life can take you. Poppy's journey was especially inspiring to me as a high-school student currently trying to rough her way through and work out where she wants to be. Ill give you a taste of the plot, because I don't think I can do it justice otherwise.

Poppy Johnson knows where she wants to be; what she wants to do - Finance at Columbia funded by the Denton Scholarship. And she's on that track, through and through, so what happens when The Splinter comes along in the form of sugar coated words? How can you differentiate between what YOU really want and what others want for you?

This book is good and gives a great view of the world, one I value alot and will treasure and take with me through life. The other thing I liked was The Jelly Bean Theory - which is basically delayed gratification. I eat through delayed gratification, but I never thought of applying it to life like Poppy did, which interested me!

A 4 star book, which could easily become 5 stars with a little bit of work on the writing and a little bit of extension of ideas, but worth the devouring read!!

Good job, Jolene, and I look forward to Jawbreaker!

Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1) by Cege Smith

Heiress of Lies (Bloodtruth #1) - by Cege Smith

Official Review:

Blood never lies, but people do...

With the King of Altera on his deathbed, all eyes are on his only child, eighteen-year-old Angeline Robart. Called from her studies to return to her father's side, the Crown Princess is kidnapped en route by Connor, a mysterious rogue who has been waiting a long time for the chance to change his destiny. Facing the consequences of a freak accident that even Connor could not prevent, Angeline is forced to travel a dangerous path to regain control of her fate and her kingdom. Her impossible choice requires her to rely on Connor, who epitomizes everything generations of her family tried to destroy.

As the last of the Robart bloodline, Angeline discovers that enemies she thought long conquered have been lying in wait for just such an opportunity as her father's death to turn events to their advantage. Worse yet, by uncovering those secrets, Angeline must confront the possibility that no one ever expected her to take the throne in anything but title alone.

As her bond with Connor grows stronger, she realizes they have far more in common than she ever expected, and that could make him the just ally she needs.

My Review:

Holy fudge cakes was this a roller coaster and a half!!


Okay, so first off I have to say this. After the whole twilight shebang, I swore to never read a book about vampires, and I've only broken that vow once to my knowledge. This book I didn't know was a vampire book, but after reading this I'm thinking of taking back that promise, because this book is frigging amazing! I mean, W.O.W. seriously.


This book had everything - wink wink, nudge nudge romance; adventure; kick-ass fighting; prophecies and all that stuff; one evil nemesis; and one not-so-useless protagonist, which we like ;)

It was well written with sophisticated language that didn't leave me feeling like I was reading a boom written for a three year old and with proper grammar which didn't have me yelling 'COMMA!' every second sentence (this is the main issue with books nowadays, I find!). The POV (third person) didn't annoy me as it sometimes does, and still gave me a close connection to the characters which I don't normally get from a third-person perspective. 5/5 for the writing!!


The plot was amazing! With a great contour which didn't leave me feeling like the story was directionless and with a web of lies and secrets which were just simple enough to be understood and applied to the story while still being sophisticated enough that I couldn't guess what was coming next!
I'm sitting here (on a plane) and trying to think of something bad to say about this book and can honestly come up with nothing. That's how amazing it is!! Like, I'm going - characters; could they use more development? Nope. They're all developed and sophisticated and three-dimensional. Did this book grip be? Definitely. I had many moments where I just looked up and went 'oh my god!', if yanno what I mean ;) uhmm...grammar and spelling etc.? Best I've read in a long time. I can't even think of anything else.

Ok, well i guess that's me.

Oh yeah! What's it about? Hehehe


Angelina is heir to the throne of Altera - she's been primed for the last 18 years - so how does one incident send her life into the balance along with everything she thought she knew? Who can she trust, and which myths are true? All she knew was that the vampires were extinct thanks to her great-great-great-grandpa, but if that's so then how come she's meeting them everywhere? And are the vampires really what she should be worrying about?

NOW...go get this book and read it! I promise you, it won't disappoint!! :)

Trusted (Trusted #1) by Taylor L. Stimac

Trusted (#1) - Taylor Stimac

Official Blurb:

When fifteen year old Tegan Summers catches the eye of local radio personality Rake Johnson, she finally feels like a normal teenage girl. Everything about their relationship feels perfect, except for the unexplained presence that makes her believe she should stay away.

On the same day she meets Rake, another man makes his way into her life: Officer Damien Sanders. His mysterious and often intense warnings urge Tegan to trust him and to end her relationship with Rake. As she works to uncover Damien's motive, she begins to realize that he may end up playing a vital role in her future.

Discover what Tegan must do in TRUSTED, the debut novel by author Taylor L. Stimac.

Would you trust a stranger?

My Review:

Can I just say wow? Like W.O.W. it's take me about3 days to write this review and I STILL don't know what to write. This story was not what I was expecting, yet still pleasantly surprising. It wasn't as supernatural as I was expecting, but it was still good!

This book had some grammatical errors, but they were quite easy to overlook. The occasional changing of tense, the misuse of commas and the 'could of' which is the bane of my existence, but all together it was a very good read!

It was a page-turner that kept me reading late into the night, and had my parents yelling at me multiple times to come out of my room, which I refused to do! 

I really loved the story, but thought it could use some development. It feels like the plot is climbing but it never reaches the climax, which leaved me feeling unfulfilled as well as curious about what happened next. 

The thing that I really, really, really, RELLY loved was the fact that I didn't know who was wrong and who was right. Normally, I have quite a straight-forward view as to who I like and who I don't, and that changes but at any given point in time I can tell you at least one good person and one bad. This book? Nada. I couldn't have told you, and I still can't, which is VERY effective.

There was a whole lot of effective suspense and mystery and I definitely recommend you read this book, and then message me about it! If you're looking for a plot, look up or type it into your google search bar. The author has posted a REALLY cute daughter saying a summary of this book, and although it's not totally accurate, it's super adorable!

I'm looking forward to book 2 and to all you bookish people messaging me about this book!

Ta-ta now!

Not-yet-released books I'm DYING to read

Do you ever have those books where you are just DYING to read them? Wether they are the end of a series, or just a new book from an author you LOVE or just because? Well I KNOW THE FEELING! But I tend to be very selective about which books I OBSESS over and which I just patiently wait for, and here's some books I'm absolutely DYING to read, and therefore some authors that I stalk (in a totally normal and completely rational manner, of course!)

So....*drum roll* in no particular order:

1) THE ONE by KIERA CASS
Release Date: May 6th 2014
This is the long awaited conclusion to The Selection Series by author Kiera Cass. This conclusion will let us see who America chooses, and will decide the fate of Iliéa forever.

If you haven't read The Selection or The Elite then I suggest you do! You can see my reviews of them here and here

2) ORIGIN by JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
Release Date: August 27th 2013
ORIGIN is the fourth book in The Lux Series by one of my favourite Authors, Jennifer Armentrout. The Lux Series centers around Katy and her life in her new town, Ketterman. This book will reveal if Katy gets out of Thunder Mountain, and to what extents Daemon will go to get her back. Every day I wait for this book, and at least once a month I re-read the Lux Series, that's how much I love it!

If you haven't read Obsidian, Onyx or Opal then I don't know what you've been doing with your life!! You can see my quick (first) review on The Lux Series here

3) AFTER BURN by NICOLE MACDONALD
Release Date: UNKNOWN
AFTER BURN is the bridging book between The Birthright Trilogy and The Voyager Series. The Arrival (the first book of the Birthright Trilogy) had me captivated from page one, and I can't wait for the wedding *grin* so BE PREPARED!!

If you haven't read The Arrival, The Awakening or Feel The Burn then I suggest you download them to your kindle and saddle up for the ride of a lifetime! Another one of my re-reads and the author is amazing!

4) SENTENIEL by JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT:
Release Date: November 2nd 2013
Jennifer Armentrout (the aforementioned author) has written two of my favourite series', and SENTENIEL is the conclusion to my other favourite series by her The Covenant Series. This is the conclusion to the series and is sure to go out with a bang. I, personally, am looking forward to finding out how Alex and Aiden will finish their story, and knowing them it won't be without a fight!

If you haven't read Half Blood, Pure, Diety or Apollyon yet then I don't know what to say!

5) RADINCE by S.L. NAEOLE
Release Date: UNKNOWN
S.L. Naeole's third book in The Faeble Series is a WIP that I'm dying to read! It's been a while now that I've been a fan of S.L (since her grace series) and Fee and have been acquainted for a while, but that doesn't mean that I'm not DYING to know what happens!

If you haven't read Gossamer or Damselfly then I suggest you do! If you want to read my reviews, you can find them here and here :)

6) UNTITLED by S.L. NAEOLE:
Release Date: UNKNOWN

You may have guessed by now, but I don't know a lot about this book, except that it will exist, at some point! This is the sequel to Dark Veil, this will be the second book in the series and I have PROOF that this book exists! Ha, take that world!!

If you haven't read Dark Veil then get your but of the internet and read it! If you want to see my awesome review, then click here!

That should do us for the moment, but let me know any of your favourite TO-DIE-FOR releases that are upcoming!

Keep on reading, for get the dreaming!
Queen of Reading