Thursday 31 December 2015

Monthly Blog Recap : December




Hello, 

Are you ready for 2016? yes, it's 31st of December, and in less than 8 hours 2016 will be here! but before that, 


And now our blog recap:


Book Reviews:

4.5 Leaves

4 Leaves

4 Leaves

Manga Reviews:

4 Leaves

4 Leaves
4.5 Leaves

4.5 Leaves

4 Leaves

4.5 Leaves

4.5 Leaves

4 Leaves


4.5 Leaves

4 Leaves

4.5 Leaves

Release Day Blitz:



Book Blitz:



Cover Reveal: 

Blog Tour: 


Waiting on Wednesday: 

Waiting on Wednesday #71 Yukarism Vol. 4





Random:



Manga Review: I Love You, Suzuki-kun!! by Go Ikeyamada



Title: I Like You, Suzuki-kun!!
Original Title: Suki Desu Suzuki-kun!!
Author: Go Ikeyamada
Artist: Go Ikeyamada

Year of Release: 2008
Genres: Comedy, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Sports

Status: Completed (Translation Ongoing)
Chapters (Translated in English): 57

Volumes & Chapters: 

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5              Volume 7 Chapters 31-35
Volume 2 Chapters 6-10.1         Volume 8 Chapters 36-40.5
Volume 3 Chapters 11-15          Volume 9 Chapters 41-45
Volume 4 Chapters 16-20          Volume 10 Chapters 46-50
Volume 5 Chapters 21-25          Volume 11 Chapters 51-55
Volume 6 Chapters 16-30.5       Volume 12 Translation ongoing




Summary


A genius actress has just awoken!!

Suzuki Hikaru, Hoshino Sayaka, Ito Chihiro and Suzuki Shinobu are all new students who have just entered the same middle school. Sayaka is a shy girl who secretly loves acting. Hikaru is an energetic boy who loves basketball. Incidentally, he shares the same last name with Shinobu, a popular rich boy who would be perfect if not for his rotten personality. Chihiro is Hikaru?™s childhood friend and has long had a crush on him.

On the day of the opening ceremony, Hikaru happens to witness Sayaka acting out the lines of a drama on the rooftop and is instantly captivated. Upon seeing Hikaru getting along with Sayaka, Chihiro?™s chest begins to ache. When Shinobu sees this, he is overcome by a strange emotion and his heart starts beating faster… Unbeknownst to the four, this is the beginning of their magnificent love story; one that would last years to come.


My Thoughts


Review covers 33 chapters 

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! Only 14 more hours until 2016! Are you ready for it? I sure hope you are, but let’s get back to the review!

Let’s just say that this review is appearing totally randomly on the blog. First of all, at the time I am writing the review (it’s October FYI), the story is completed but it’s not fully translated in English. I can even say there are more chapters translated and uploaded in Russian. I will be making two reviews, I might make a third one, but I’m not 100% sure about that, as first I’ll need to read the story to the end and for that I guess if by the time the review hits blog, which is right now, there’s no new updates, I’ll have to buy last 6 volumes in German. Though I’ll have one advantage. I’ll resurrect my German skills. Good bargain if you ask me.

But let me get back to the review! I’m covering 1/3 of the whole series, and I stopped right where the author says: end of part one. So that I do not mix two different lives together. The story is fantastic and it is the longest so far in Ikeyamada-sensei’s works. It is fun, it is sad and it surely is a story worth reading. We follow 2 love lines: one is Sayaka x Hikaru and another Chihiro x sShinobu. The part that I’m reviewing our heroes are in middle school. The story starts with them being 13 and meeting each other. Will, technically Chihiro & Hikaru are childhood friends. It is very interesting to read hos Hikaru & sayaka fall in love with each other, and how at the end of the 33 chapters Shinobu & Chihiro finally start a relationship.

All characters are fantastic. I especially love Chihiro, but I’ll cover her character next time, as what I wasn’t to talk about will spoil the next chapters. Let me concentrate on Sayyaka & Hikaru and the ives of 13 –year-olds. I loved those two. They made a couple that you would like to be you. I really wished that Hikaru was real. He’s a fantastic character. The way he conveys his feelings to Sayaka as well as how he is always when she needs him, makes him a perfect boyfriend. In the very beginning, I was not Sayaka’s biggest fan, but the more the story went on the more I understood that I love her character. She’s shy, she’s introverted but as soon as she starts acting she becomes a character that you just can’t take your eyes off. I love how they confessed to each other. And that moments when both of them are jealous their make-up s fantastic. Sometimes I even forget that they story was featuring middle school kids. The emotions are overflowing and you are wondering what is going to happen when they are featured as high school kids? Trust me, what I’ve read by now it was amazing and I can’t wait to know how the story will end.

I hope you will start reading this amazing story. I know I’m not fair recommending a story that is still being translated, but trust me you’ll love this story and the character. If you are looking for a story with lots of love, some drama and action than this story is just for you. Explore this amazing world of acting, basketball and school life. Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos. Don’t miss your next favouirite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie


Rating



Wednesday 30 December 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #75 Grave Attraction


Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine It’s a chance to showcase upcoming releases we are interested in or drooling over.



Grave Attraction by Lori Sjoberg

Grave #4

5 January 2016


He’s a reaper who works by the book. But a sexy shifter will have him changing the course of fate just to be with her—if a killer doesn’t get to her first...

After four years as a reaper, helping souls cross into the afterlife is a job Adam Javorski has finally gotten used to. But when he arrives at the site of a serial killer’s latest victim, finding a living—not to mention gorgeous—hostage is the last thing he expects. The young woman captivates him in a way no one ever has—so much so, he breaks rule number one by helping her escape…

Marlena Walther doesn’t remember the man who rescued her. But when she sees Adam again, she recognizes him instantly as her soul mate. While the two work together to track down a killer determined to finish what he started, their undeniable attraction draws them even closer. Now Adam is the only one who can protect Marlena from a vengeful murderer—if he’s willing to sacrifice everything for her. 

Praise for Lori Sjoberg’s Novels

"A highly enjoyable, intelligently written story." —New York Journal of Books on Grave Intentions

"A fun and satisfying read for fans of paranormal and supernatural romance." ??Library Journal on Grave Destinations

What's on your waiting list?

Monday 28 December 2015

Manga Review: Skip Beat by Yoshiki Nakamura (3rd Review)




Title: Skip Beat!
Original Title: Skip Beat!
Author: Yoshiki Nakamura
Artist: Yoshiki Nakamura

Year of Release: 2002
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life

Status: Ongoing
Chapters (Translated in English): 229

Volumes & Chapters: 

38 Volumes, Ongoing


Summary


Kyouko Mogami lived solely for her childhood friend Shoutaro "Shou" Fuwa. She follows Shou to Tokyo so that he may realize his dream of becoming a famous singer. When his dream is realized, Kyouko overhears the truth behind his decision to bringing her with him: he was using her as a maid.

Shocked and enraged, Kyouko swears to take revenge by outdoing him in show business. With a new look and a new attitude, she joins LME, the agency where Ren Tsuruga (Shou's rival and the #1 actor of LME) works, in the hopes of achieving her goal of destroying Shou's pride.

Along the way, she discovers her true self, makes new friends (and enemies), and finds herself at the heart of some interesting situations that will change her life, and the lives of all others involved, forever.


My Thoughts


Review covers 151 chapters 

Hello, everyone and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! Today I’m continuing with Skip Beat! reviews, and trust me you don’t want to miss any of events I’ll covering in today’s reviews. We get to meet new characters, and some old ones will be acting a bit crazy. And this time, again the story focuses on Kyoko, Ren and some of the times on Shou. As always before I start let me make a list of what I’ll be covering:

·      Beagles Appear!!!
·      Trouble to create a new character?!
·      St. Valentine = Trouble in the paradise!!!


So, let me start! As you remember I stopped at the moment when Ren finally found his Katzuki and accepts his feelings for Kyoko. However, at this time Kyoko is interviewed and there she meets a new and formidable enemy both for herself as well as Shou. Meet Vie Ghoul aka beagles, that’s how Kyoko calls them and to say the truth I always remember that name instead of their real one. They’re a band, which will put Shou in a difficult position and will bring lots of trouble for Kyoko, especially the lead singer – Reino. He’s one weird guy who got a creepy interest in Kyoko, well, in her devil forms to be exact. However, during this arc we get to see the real Shou, his another side, the one where he first doesn’t do anything and afterwards starts working in order to get back his first place. We also see Kyoko’s side, she may hate Shou, but she doesn’t care how she will defeat him! And her fantastic confession of her hatred make your skin crawl and there’s this weird excitement buzzing in our heart, that something is going to happen!

Moving on! When the problem with Shou is kind of settled, Kyoko is bombarded with new projects and every time she is asked to just act like Mio, so the tough times will come to our favourite actress. She takes a role of Natsu – a bully. And her problems start as now she has problems with creating her Natsu. She wants her new character to be different from Mio as Natsu & Mio are absolutely different. Will she be able t? You’ll need to find out for yourself. But trust me the way she plays Natsu, the expression of pure sadistic delight will shutter your imagination and you’ll be wondering aloud: “”This girl is a real genius!” however, before she creates Natsu, you’ll get to meet a character which will shed some light on Ren’s past ad we will have at least some ideas as what is happening. Who that is ad how will he help Kyoko? I’ll leave that for you to find out! Because he’s fun and you’ll love how Kyoko will try to boss him around!

And finally moving to my favourite part! Skip beat! is celebrating St. valentine’s Day. And you’ll be having fun reading this arc, as there are lots o misunderstandings to come. Some creepy characters are going to steer trouble for Kyoko, and some will finally understand their feelings, but will take it to a very weird position. There will be trouble for Kyoko as well as Kanae as she’ll have to deal with some awful co-workers and in the end, the “Love-Me” section will get another member. Will the valentine’s leave a good or a bad impression on our girls? Heh, I can’t not just omit their answer to President’s question: “What does the valentine’s mean to you?”



Oh, yes I partially agree with them. But you’ll have to read the story to understand why Kyoko & Kanae can’t stand this day so much!

I’ll be ending my review here for today, but don’t forget there’s some real fun stuff coming as a punishment for answering the question incorrectly. The director gave “Love-me” section a job. What is it? You’ll find out in the next review! Enjoy it to its fullest and don’t forget to share your thoughts below! Stay tuned for more reviews as well as promos! Don’t miss your next favourite book or manga! Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating



Release Day Blitz: Catalyst by Leighton Riley

Title: Catalyst

Author: Leighton Riley

Release Date: Dec 28, 2015

Find on Goodreads

For every action, there is a reaction.

People aren’t always who they say they are. Everyone has their secrets. Some are more evil than I ever thought imaginable.

I was left broken and alone after my boyfriend was murdered in my bar.

An old acquaintance moves into Liam’s home and a spark is ignited deep inside me.

Becoming vulnerable made me weak, and I never saw it coming.

When obsession takes over, lies and deceit can be killer.
Watching movers pack away his things and throw them into the truck is so impersonal. Tossing the boxes into a truck with no thought as to what they are handling. I wish I had the strength to be the one who packed it all away, but I couldn’t. It was hard enough to pack up my things. I moved my stuff out of the home two weeks ago, but the majority of everything in that home was his. 
He was my other half. My soul mate. One morning, we were completely in love and talking about starting a family, and then by nightfall, I had found my boyfriend barely alive in the storage room of the bar I owned. I rode with him as he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, praying he would pull through even though the look on the paramedics’ faces told me otherwise. After what seemed like forever in the waiting room, doctors gave me the news he didn’t make it. The police questioned me extensively, and later that night, I came home to his empty house. From that day on, I have been on autopilot. 
Leighton Riley resides in Dallas, Tx and works in real estate for her day job. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Sinfully, Regretfully, and Deceitfully can be read in order or as standalones. Sinfully and Regretfully take place around the same time frame and can even be read in reverse order (will give more background on Payton and Ryder's story). Tate's story, Deceitfully, finishes off the series. She's also the author of the romantic suspense novel, Catalyst.

Saturday 26 December 2015

Book Haul & Blog Weekly #78


Book Haul & Blog Weekly is a weekly feature here at Katie's Corner inspired by Stacking Shelves by Tynga's Reviews and The Sunday Post by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.


Book Haul:



Purchased/Freebies:


Skip Beat!! by Yoshiki Nakamura Vol. 1-13


NetGalley/Edelweiss:



Author Request/Tour:







Gifted:


Dauntless by Stacy Claflin

Goodreads – Amazon 

Blog Weekly:


Mini Manga Review: Connected With a Kiss by Ikemi Runa




Title: Connected With a Kiss
Original Title: Kiss Ni Juuzoku
Author: Ikemi Runa
Artist: Ikemi Runa

Year of Release: 2009
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance, Shoujo

Status: Completed
Chapters (Translated in English): 3 + extra

Volumes & Chapters: 

1 Volume 


Summary


In the middle of an escape, Lilith, the head of a group of thieves, is injured. She is rescued by the young aristocrat Jean Rhode, but in exchange for being nursed back to health, he demands that she pay him with kisses!

My Thoughts


Review covers 3 chapters 

Hi guys and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! Today I have a very short but very interesting manga. I enjoyed it a lot, but it was too short, only 3 chapters. However, if there was more, I doubt it would have been as good. You see, I’m contradicting myself on every corner.

Both Lilith and Jean are very well developed. I loved Jean a lot. Though everyone though of him as M (masochist), okay I thought of him that too, but he was a perfect S in the first chapter. Asking kisses as repayment for food and bandages. I thought they would stay with Nobles but then they take up and go to live in the woods with thieves. From there their adventure starts and as the last sentence of the last chapter says, Jean is still with thieves, living happily with Lilith.

I hope you’ll take up this fun and great story to read. It’s an awesome read to cheer you up or just to read something. Stay tuned for more and don’t forget to share your thoughts below. Happy reading!

XOXO

Katie

Rating



Friday 25 December 2015

Monthly Interview: Louise Herman





Katie: Merry Christmas! Thank you for this interview, how are you?

Louise Herman: Hi Kate, I'm good, thank you. I'm trying to work as hard as possible on the third book in my YA Urban Fantasy series, 'Split Blood' so I can take a few days break shortly to spend some quality time with my family for Christmas.


K.: It’s nice to hear. Can you tell us more about yourself?

L.: I’m a teacher of Computing and a keen fantasy movie fan from the leafy suburbs of North London.

I absolutely adore any film from Guillermo del Toro (especially Pan’s Labyrinth, Devil’s Backbone and Cronos) and am a big 80s fantasy film fan (with my favourite’s including Labyrinth, Big Trouble in Little China and Blade Runner).

I also have a big passion for Anime and am slightly obsessed by the genius director, Hayao Miyazaki for his work on Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl’s Moving Castle.

From an early age, I had always had a passion for writing stories which would take the reader to different fantasy worlds and realms. With a little confidence and the ease of publishing novels on the internet, I have now self-published five fantasy stories to date:

The Orcus Games Trilogy

The Split Blood Series



K.: My first question will be, when did you first start writing?

L.: I have always had a vivid imagination and have written short fantasy stories, for my own pleasure, in my teenage years. However, it was not until my English teacher told me she enjoyed one of my stories that I started to take it more seriously.

I researched competitions and writing challenges but unfortunately, without the aid of the internet, it was a little harder, than it is now, to gain the information I needed, so my college and university work took presidency and I put my writing passion to one side until I had more time (and resources) to concentrate on it fully.



K.: Do you remember the first story you ever read and the impact it had on you?

L.: The first story I can remember reading, that had an impact on me, was 'Alice in Wonderland'. I loved the fantasy aspects of the story and also the escapism that most six-year-olds could relate to.

Wacky characters, a strange world, food, and drinks that alter your appearance and size was a storyline that I could read over and over again as a child and never get bored of.



K.: Why did you write this book and what are your expectations on its behalf?

L.: I wrote my first YA Fantasy novella, 'The Orcus Games: Blood Moon' because I wanted to write a story that switched between two different worlds and could be read from three different points of view.

I did not have any expectations of the book apart from hoping that the readers would be interested enough in the magical storyline to continue onto the second novella in the trilogy, 'The Orcus Games: Mistress V'.


K.: What are you working on next?

L.: I am currently working on the third book in the 'Split Blood' series, which will be published on Amazon and Smashwords by April 2016.

It concentrates on Raven (Faith's Wiccan sister) and her fight to get her family back.
Raven's character also changes due to the trials and tribulations she encounters on her journey and we also meet new magical beings and say goodbye to some favourites.
With lots more magic, lust and revenge, 'Split Blood 3' promises to continue the emotional rollercoaster ride further into the 'Split Blood' world.

In the previous two books, Raven has been a minor character, who has always been there for her older sister, Faith.

Happy to find out her new magically heritage, Raven tried to show her reluctant sister the benefits of their new life as she grew in power but Faith was not interested in the magic classes and her history as Raven was.

Unfortunately, Faith felt suffocated from the endless rules and her curiosity led to her run away, leaving the Coven to deal with the consequences of Faith's illegal decision.
This emotional departure left a scar on Raven, who struggles to cope with life without her sister and things get much worse when her parents are taken to the Underworld for questioning about their part in their daughter's detrimental rule breaking.

Alone, distraught and unable to deal with some members of her Coven turning against her, Raven becomes obsessed with finding her family, by any means necessary - with disastrous results...


K.: What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

L.: The greatest joy of writing for myself is the freedom to create unique magical characters and worlds, along with communicating with readers, fans, and bloggers who have a passion for this genre too.


K.: What motivated you to become an indie author?

L.: I have always been a very 'hands on' person and when I finished the first book, I decided to try and publish it myself before approaching a literary agent because I wanted to experience the full process.

However, although I love being an indie author, there are times when it would be nice to have an agent to deal with the marketing and promotion, so I can focus on my writing and communicating with the readers, fans, and bloggers.


K.: When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

L.: I love listening to music (I love Bjork, Daft Punk, Royal Blood), watching films (I like to watch Anime, Manga, Horrors and Fantasy films) and running when I am not writing.

I try to take regular breaks from writing so I can refresh my thoughts and look for new ideas.


K.: Can you describe your desk?

L.: I currently have a rectangular wooden corner desk with my laptop, mini filing system for my school work and lots of notes for potential stories and characters.
I would like to say it's tidy, but I call it an organised mess.


K.: Now that it’s Christmas time,  are you still working or having a holiday from writing?

L.: I have decided to work up until Christmas Eve and then I will take a few days off but will still be responding to emails and queries.


K.: Thank you for the interview. Good luck with the book.

L.: Thank you for the opportunity and Happy Holidays everyone!



About Author:



Louise Herman is a North London Fantasy author obsessed with pear drops sweets and 80s Fantasy films.

In between reading James Herbert novels and drinking too much coffee, she writes Young Adult Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance novels.

Louise Herman has currently written five YA Fantasy books to date (December 2015); The Orcus Games Prequel Trilogy and The Split Blood series, which take the reader on a journey of magic, mystery, obsession and forbidden love with seductively dark consequences.
 
For more information, please go to www.louisehermanauthor.com