Monthly Wrap-Up: January 2019

First month of the new year is gone. I can't believe it... I feel like I was just celebrating Christmas. Lol.

Review: Fire Devil (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #11) by J.L. Bryan

Title: Fire Devil

Series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #11

Previous books in this series: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper (#1) | Cold Shadows (#2) | The Crawling Darkness (#3) | Terminal (#4) | House of Whispers #5 | Maze of Souls #6 | Lullaby (#7) | The Keeper (#8) | The Tower (#9) | The Monster Museum (#10)

Author: J.L. Bryan

Genre: Adult, paranormal, horror

Publication date: January 19th, 2019

Published by: J.L. Bryan

Source: eARC for review

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Ellie's pursuit of a possessed friend and her own worst enemy takes her across the United States into forgotten corners of the countryside through haunted hotels, ghost towns, and strange highways, and toward the site of a horrific fire haunted by hundreds of spirits.

Together with her team, plus help from an eccentric exorcist from Texas, she prepares for the fight of her life, a fight destined since her own childhood.

Ellie's past and present collide in a final confrontation that will give her a chance to finally be rid of her most dangerous personal demon—if he doesn't kill Ellie first, along with the people she cares about the most.

My rating: ★★★★★
This book was amazing! This was a very personal case for Ellie, finally facing down the ghost that murdered her parents all those years ago. Except she’s gotta chase this fire-loving ghost across the country because he has taken Michael’s sister, Melissa, along for the dangerous ride.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #145

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #192: So Excited I Can't Sleep

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Down the TBR Hole #2

Most of you probably know this feeling, your Goodreads TBR pile keeps growing and growing and it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. You keep adding, but you add more than you actually read. And then when you’re scrolling through your list, you realize that you have no idea what half the books are about and why you added them. Well that’s going to change!

And thank the gods for that because I desperately need it! Lol. And thanks to Lost in a Story, as well, for creating this amazing meme!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #144

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #191

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Clocked (Clockwise #4) by Elle Strauss

Title: Clocked

Series: Clockwise #4 (this novella is categorized as book 4 in the series, but in reality it's more of a #1.5)

Previous books in this series: Clockwise (#1) | Clockwiser (#2) | Like Clockwork (#3)

Author: Elle Strauss

Genre: YA, fantasy, time travel, historical

Publication date: November 2013

Published by: Elle Strauss

Source: Purchased ebook

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

This is a Novella of 15K.

For Fans of CLOCKWISE.

Ever wonder how Nate got talked into asking Casey to dance on a dare? And what it felt like for him to experience 1860? How he really felt about Casey Donovan? Now you can know!!

My rating: ★★★☆☆
So this short story is a companion novella to Clockwise, and it’s told in Nate’s POV from when he first asks Casey for a dance to when they go back in time. And it was a lot of fun! It was cute and I absolutely loved Clockwise, so it was cool seeing things from his POV.

Review: Poison Promise (Elemental Assassin #11) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Poison Promise

Series: Elemental Assassin #11

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4) | Spider's Revenge (#5) | By A Thread (#6) | Widow's Web (#7) | Deadly Sting (#8) | Heart of Venom (#9) | The Spider (#10)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5) | Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks (#8.1) | Kiss of Venom (#8.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: July 2014

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis:

Gin Blanco is hard-nosed, sexy, and lethal. Nicknamed “The Spider,” she’s a stone elemental assassin who brings her unique mix of magic and tact to every assignment, no matter the target.

There’s a new drug on the streets of Ashland, and its name “Burn” sums up the potent effect it has on its users. When one of her restaurant employees is threatened by dealers of the drug, Gin steps in to set things straight...

My rating: ★★★★★
We finally get to meet M.M. Monroe!! And we thought the Monroe/Snow family feud was over... well, it’s not! This Monroe person isn’t the main villain in this book, but the seed was planted, and I am glad we finally got to meet this person we’ve been hearing so much about lately. This person is definite trouble for Gin, and I can’t wait to find out what’s in store for her, because I’m pretty sure it’s gonna get bad!

Giveaway: Spartan Promise by Jennifer Estep

In honor of Spartan Promise releasing today (yay!) I'm having a giveaway of the first two books in the series! I love the Mythos Academy world and I just wanted to share the love!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #143

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #190

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Down the TBR Hole #1

Most of you probably know this feeling, your Goodreads TBR pile keeps growing and growing and it seems like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. You keep adding, but you add more than you actually read. And then when you’re scrolling through your list, you realize that you have no idea what half the books are about and why you added them. Well that’s going to change!

And thank the gods for that because I desperately need it! Lol. And thanks to Lost in a Story, as well, for creating this amazing meme!

Review: The Wrong Girl (Return to Fear Street #2) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Wrong Girl

Series: Return to Fear Street #2

Previous book in this series: You May Now Kill the Bride

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 2018

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Purchased paperback

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis:

Poppy Miller swears she will get payback for Jack Sabers’s cruel prank that humiliated her in front of all her friends.

Then her classmates start turning up dead.

All eyes are on Poppy. Is Poppy being framed? Or did the kids of Shadyside High mess with the wrong girl?

In this all-new Fear Street story, only one thing’s for sure—someone is out for DEADLY revenge.

My rating: ★★★★☆

“You picked the wrong girl to do this to!” I screamed. “The wrong girl. I’m warning you! I’m warning you now. I’ll pay every one of you back!”

Review: The Spider (Elemental Assassin #10) by Jennifer Estep

Title: The Spider

Series: Elemental Assassin #10

Previous books in this series: Spider's Bite (#1) | Web of Lies (#2) | Venom (#3) | Tangled Threads (#4) | Spider's Revenge (#5) | By A Thread (#6) | Widow's Web (#7) | Deadly Sting (#8) | Heart of Venom (#9)

Short stories in this series: Poison (#0.1) | Web of Deceit (#0.2) | Spider's Bargain (#0.5) | Web of Death (#1.5) | Wasted (#2.7) | Tangled Dreams (#3.5) | Tangled Schemes (#3.7) | Spider’s Nemesis (#4.5) | Thread of Death (#5.5) | Carniepunk: Parlor Tricks (#8.1) | Kiss of Venom (#8.5)

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: Adult, urban fantasy

Publication date: December 2013

Published by: Pocket Books

Source: Borrowed from library

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Thrift Books

Synopsis:

How did I end up in a career where I always have blood on my hands? Well, let me tell you a story about an assassin who thought she could do no wrong...

Ten years ago. A blistering hot August night. I remember like it was yesterday. The night I, Gin Blanco, truly became the Spider. Killing people is what I do best, especially now that I’ve honed my Ice and Stone magic. But back then, I had yet to learn one very important rule: arrogance will get you, every single time.

This particular job seemed simple: murder a crooked building contractor with ties to ruthless Fire elemental Mab Monroe. My mentor, Fletcher Lane, had some misgivings, but I was certain that I had the situation under control... right up until I exposed my weaknesses to a merciless opponent who exploited every single one of them. There’s a reason assassins aren’t supposed to feel anything. Luckily, a knife to the heart can fix that problem, especially when I’m the one wielding it...

My rating: ★★★★☆
Even though The Spider is book 10 in the series, it’s actually sort of prequel, mostly taking place 10 years in the past. It does start off in the present as Gin tells Owen her story—the story of what really made Gin Blanco the Spider.

Killing someone was easy—getting away with it was what was truly challenging.

Review: Spartan Promise (Mythos Academy Spinoff #2) by Jennifer Estep

Title: Spartan Promise

Series: Mythos Academy Spinoff #2

Previous book in this series: Spartan Heart

Previous series: Mythos Academy

Author: Jennifer Estep

Genre: YA, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Norse mythology

Publication date: January 15th, 2019

Published by: Jennifer Estep

Source: eARC from author

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

Hunting for the bad guys has never been so dangerous . . .

My name is Rory Forseti, and I attend the Colorado branch of Mythos Academy, a school of warrior kids, powerful artifacts, and mythological monsters.

I’m a student, a fierce Spartan warrior, and a member of Team Midgard, a group of kids and adults tasked with stopping the evil Reapers of Chaos. There is one Reaper I’m determined to hunt down above all others: Covington, the man who murdered my parents.

So when the Midgard gets a tip that Covington is going to try to steal a dangerous artifact, I’m ready to fight. But the situation is far more complicated than it seems, and the Reapers aren’t my only enemies.

I’ll have to use all my Spartan strength and skills to survive this. And even then, it might be my blood that gets spilled...

My rating: ★★★★★
I always know I’m in for an amazing time with any Jennifer Estep book, and this one was no different! In my eyes, Jennifer Estep can do no wrong! I just love her writing and characters and the amazing, interesting worlds she’s created! And one of my favorite worlds EVER of any book I have read is the world of Mythos Academy. Look, I love mythology, and the fact that she blends so many different mythologies together seamlessly is just a plus. I love the mythos, yes, but I also love all of these great characters that bring the world to life!

Review: I Can Make You Thin by Paul McKenna

Title: I Can Make You Thin

Author: Paul McKenna

Genre: Adult, nonfiction, self-help

Publication date: May 2016

Published by: Sterling

Source: Purchased Hardcover

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository | Book Outlet | Thrift Books

Synopsis:

Would you like to eat whatever you want and still lose weight? Would you like to feel really happy with your body? Are you unable to lose those last 10 pounds? Do you find it difficult to say no to second helpings? Do you get disheartened about your eating habits and your weight? Then this amazing book and CD can help you! Welcome to a revolutionary way to stop overeating, control cravings and feel totally motivated to take exercise. Paul McKenna has developed a breakthrough weight-loss system that re-patterns your thoughts, attitudes and beliefs about yourself, your health and food to help you easily take control of your diet and lose weight permanently. As you use Paul's amazing system, the latest psychological techniques will automatically help you to start losing weight straight away! You can use it again and again to make you feel happier about yourself as you go all the way to your ideal shape, size and weight.

My rating: ★★★★☆
I remember a while back I watched a TV show where Paul McKenna showed the viewers how to lose weight without dieting. I remember trying it for a bit and it actually worked! Fast forward to this past summer where I had had enough of my emotional eating and I decided it was time for me to lose weight. One thing about me: I’ve never been comfortable in my own body, and I SO want to be! It’s not just about being thin (title of the book could’ve been better, tbh), I want to feel better too! Anyway, I wanted to try out this system again but for the life of me I could not remember what it was! After many days and A LOT of googling I finally found this, the very thing I was looking for (except I didn’t realize it was a book too. Lol). So I read through the book (it was a very quick read!) and I even found the TV show on YouTube so watched those 4 segments too, and I put the system to use. After 6 months I lost 20 lbs just doing this!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #142: Starting the Year Off with Ghosts!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date and Unleashing Reads.

Sunday Post #189: Happy New Year! (Yeah, I know I'm Late lol)

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

2019 Reading Challenges

2019 Reading Challenge

Liliana has
read 0 books toward
her goal of
75 books.

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0 of 75 (0%)

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Up first, as always, is the yearly Goodreads Reading Challenge! In 2018 I finished reading 75 books, but just barely! Lol. This year I'm aiming for 75 again, but I hope I can read a bit more than that.

Favorite New-To-Me Authors of 2018

I read a bunch of great books this year, including some by authors whose work I had never read before, and today I wanted to share some of those books and authors!

Most Read Authors of 2018

I wanted to take a look at my most read authors of 2018, and I gotta say, none of these surprised me. Lol.

My Year in Books: 2018

It's that time again to look back at my year in books thanks to a handy tool from Goodreads! I seriously love this thing. Lol.

2018 Reading Stats

Books and numbers, two of my favorite things! Let's look back at some statistics I kept track of over the last year.