February 2016 Wrap-Up!

Hey guys! Spring is finally in the air, and daffodils are beginning to bloom. Soon cherry blossoms will be dotted on trees, pink and white as the moon. (A moment to acknowledge my beautiful poetry, haha!) I haven't really done much this month, besides testing and reading. I have been accepted into the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts for Choral Music, a summer program where I will live on the Middle Tennessee State University for a month while getting to grow in my musicianship alongside other musicians as dedicated as I am about the art we create. I also just took the ACT for my second time (the first time was my seventh grade year, in which I made a 27) and this time around I scored a 31! I am a tenth grader this year, so I have time to improve my score even more. But, now I am going to move onto the books I read this month!

February Read List:

—Cruel Crown (Steel Scars/Queen Song) by Victoria Aveyard

—Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee

—Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard

—Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

—Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

—Parts 2 and 3 of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

—All of Mark from The Holy Bible

—All of Luke from The Holy Bible

"Glass Sword" (Red Queen Series book #2)

This isn't really even a review, just more like a rant for me to vent all my emotions after finishing this book. 

If you've followed this blog for long enough, you'll know that I read Red Queen late last year-ish and absolutely fell in love with Victoria Aveyard's writing. Since then I've read the bond up of the two companion novellas she has written, Cruel Crown. After several long months of waiting, the sequel, Glass Sword, was FINALLY released on February 9th, and I received it on the 12th. I started it sometime last week and finished it today and I have been completely overwhelmed by the "feels". This book has lovingly caressed my soul, nurtured it, dropped it a couple times, followed shortly by some more coddling, before ripping it to shreds and lighting the pieces on fire like mere kindling, much like Cal would do. It kills me that I can't fully rant because, well, frankly it's rude to spoil people (haha I find it rude anyway, so it's not just a bashing comment), but to sum it up...

MARE BARROW IS A FIESTT LITTLE STUBBORN LIGHTNING GIRL WHOSE HEART OUTWEIGHS HER BRAIN AND I CANNOT FREAKING BELIEVE WHAT SHE DIS TO PROTECT CAL AND KILORN AT THE END OF THE BOOK IT JUST MAKES ME WANT TO CRY AND SOB MY BOOKISH TEARS. AND OMG ALL THE OTPS THAT HAVE SAILED IN THIS BOOK, PRAISE JESUS. BUT EVEN WORSE, WHEN ONE OF YOUR OTPS GETS RUTHLESSLY SEVERED IN HALF BY THE AUTHOR. 

I think that's all. If I have a re percussive attack over this book, I may end up posting again. Who knows, lol. But this book was amazing, the series is amazing, Victoria Aveyard is amazing, everything is just really amazing so if you haven't read Red Queen or Glass Sword or Cruel Crown yet, but all of them and binge read them. You definitely won't regret it!

Much love,

The Book Lioness!

(Rawr)

January 2016 Wrap Up!

I'm starting a monthly wrap up so you guys can see what non-review books I've been reading, and maybe a couple of my other favorites, like music, movies, food, etc. And maybe a little sneak at my photography skills outside of book pictures!

Here's what January looked like for me!

Books I Read:

—Hunted by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

—Discovering April by Sheena Hutchinson

—The Martian by Andy Weir

—Matthew 1-28 from The Holy Bible

—'A Feather From a Thousand Li Away' from The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (for my English course)

Photography:

Winter Storm Jonas in Tennessee

That's all I have for this wrap up. Hopefully I'll have some more interesting stuff for you guys next month once I get results back from my state's Governor's School program. Have a great February!!

With love,

The Book Lioness

"Cross the Stars" Pre-Release Blitz

Title: Cross the Stars

Series: Crossing Stars Duet #1 

Author: Venessa Kimball writing as V. Angelika

Genre: New Adult/Adult Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 8, 2016 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28397859crossthestars 

Blurb:

A year shy of graduating from Georgetown University, Ella Wallace feels like she is losing direction. Having carved her own path through life, rejecting her family’s elitist influences, the last thing she wants is to waste time and prove her parents right. A happenstance summerlong program abroad offers the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in volunteer work, finding richness in family and purpose she has never experienced before. 

Prince Rajaa bin Ammaar is returning home to Jordan from Georgetown University. His intent is to spearhead a refugee program meant to bring peace to his country. Amidst threats of civil war and revolt, Raj stands for his convictions, even when they challenge his family and the very culture he is preordained to uphold. A chance encounter at a crowded party in D.C. brought Ella and Raj together for one fleeting moment – two people never thought to meet again. But it’s not until their diverse worlds collide in Jordan that they realize the power of their connection. With the refugee program as their reuniting bond, they must cross the stars and defy their clashing cultures to protect their forbidden love.

With the culturally rich Jordanian backdrop, Cross the Stars will take you on a journey into the geographical and cultural Middle East, the resilience of people amidst turbulent civil unrest, the parallel unrest of two lovers’ clashing fates, and the diversity they must challenge with every breath to keep their love alive.

PreOrder Now:

Amazon US: http://goo.gl/L9OtSW 

Amazon CA: http://goo.gl/QWQMqv 

Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/ZkEKAj 

Amazon AU: http://goo.gl/1n0572 

Nook: http://goo.gl/nZAZVv

Kobo: https://goo.gl/p9r8oUi

iBooks: Coming Soon

Author Bio: 

 

Having always been passionate about the written word, Venessa Kimball embarked on writing what would become her debut novel, Piercing the Fold: a young adult urban fantasy series in 2010, with a 2012 release with Crushing Hearts Black Butterfly Publishing. She has also written the Teen contemporary romance series, the Evan series. Venessa also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name V. Angelika. When Venessa is not writing, she is keeping active with her husband and three children, chauffeuring said children to extracurricular activities, catching a movie with her hubby, and staying up way too late reading.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VenessaKimballAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VenessaKimball 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/venessakimball7

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/VenessaKimball/e/B008HFW8CS

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14817283.V_Angelika 

Giveaway:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/81aa7894823/