Katie's Corner: March 2015

Hello everyone! How was your month? Mine was quite exhausting. The spring has already started and here in Cyprus it's getting hotter and hotter. In about 3 days my spring break will start and so I will have more time to read some great books and share them with you.

April will have quite a number of amazing books and mangas that will be covered on the blog. i hope you will stay tuned and not miss any of them. I am currently working on a project which will launched somewhere in Summer and will be mostly focused for authors. I am really excited to start it! and i will love if it will be popular here. well, the time will show.

Everybody ready for April? i am :D

XOXO

Katie

Book Review : A Tempest Soul by Oliver Phipps

Summary (from Goodreads)

Title: A Tempest Soul

Author: Oliver Phipps

Publication Date: 7 Aug, 2014

Publisher: Gray Door

Goodreads – Amazon – Barnes & Noble

Summary:

Seventeen year old Gina Falcone has been alone for much of her young life. Her father passed away while she was young. Her unaffectionate mother eventually leaves her to care for herself when she is only thirteen.

Though her epic journey begins in 1920 by an almost deadly mistake, Gina will find many of her hearts desires in the most unlikely of places. The loss of everything is the catalyst that brings her to an unimagined level of accomplishment in her life.

Yet Gina soon realizes it is the same events that brought her success that may also bring everything crashing down around her. The new life she has built soon beckons for something she left behind. Now the new woman must find a way to dance through a life she could have never dreamed of.

My Thoughts:

Wow! This book was just amazing! It was the first time I have read a book by Oliver Phipps, and I believe it will not be the last one. The book has a lot of emotions woven into it. It tells a story of a woman who had nothing and then climbed to her success with her power and determination.

The book has really string characters, especially Gina – the main character. I cheered on her all the way though out the book. I was screaming at her (in my mind) in the beginning, and catching my breath every time she succeeded or failed in something. I was something infuriated with her, especially in the last chapters, but afterwards I understood why it was done as it was. The way flamenco was described, made me want to study it and dance, but I just know that I am not that passionate about it, so I would not have that soul inside of me like Gina had. Her life “adventures” are amazing and are really lifely. Is there such word? The book is a story of a life. It has hardships and those hardships make a person harder.

The way Gina behaves and lives makes you wonder if you would have lived like that if you were she. The time frame is described as if the author lives in the 20s and seen everything himself. The style of writing, the words that he chooses to say in this or that situation makes the reader believe he is right next to the characters and not sitting on a couch and reading about them. The book sucked me into it from the first pages. It was the first time I could read in the bus, and I remember my friends were patting me to bring me back to reality.

I loved the book very much. I think it taught me something new. I can’t pinpoint it yet, but I know that after reading it something changed in me. I recommend this book to everyone, especially to whose, who have lost their way in life and try to seek something new. I hope you will enjoy it to its fullest. Happy reading, and don’t forget to share your thoughts with me. Stay tuned for more reviews at Katie’s Corner!

XOXO

Katie

My Rating:

Cover Reveal : Treasured by Delisa Lynn

Releasing April 21st From Limitless Publishing

Lila Carls had one goal... To attend New York University. She’s dreamt of being a lawyer most of her life, and she worked hard to get into NYU. What she hadn’t planned was falling in love with Liam before she left. Knowing she was about to go across the country and leave her boyfriend behind hurt more than she thought it would. Liam Ellis fell for the blue-eyed beauty the minute he saw her… He always knew someday he and Lila would be together. Only now that she was finally his, she was leaving for NYU. Lila’s dream was everything she thought it would be and more, because that’s where she met Evan Martin… Evan was a country boy with a big heart, but when his high school girlfriend crushed him, he needed a change. So he packed up and moved to New York City. The last thing on his mind was a relationship, and he was very much enjoying the single life...that was until Lila. Evan and Lila became quick friends, and although he knows she has boyfriend he wants more… To complicate things even more, tragedy strikes leaving Lila feeling broken and alone. Who will she turn to? Can she ever find her way back to the man who captured her heart and soul? Or will she settle for the next best thing?

Delisa Lynn grew up in Columbus Ohio, she is currently residing in Western New York with her husband and fur daughter Sophie. During the day she works as a Medical Assistant and at night, she types away on her laptop, allowing her characters to escape her mind. Pink is her favorite color, and she loves anything animal print. She loves traveling, shopping and baking. When Delisa isn’t working or writing you can catch her snuggled up with her kindle reading about her newest book boyfriend.

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Release Day Blitz : Crashing Tides by Casey Peeler

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00071]

You can predict the tides but not the changes they make. Gunnison Del Valle was the current in the tide that was about to change my life.

Crash one we met.

Crash two we fell in love.

Crash three changed our perfectly planned lives forever.

When the band begins to play, I can’t help but smile. I feel at home. This beach is my other home, now if only I could dance. As couples begin to shag on the dance floor, I can’t help but look at Brett’s reaction. He’s taking it all in and watching their footsteps. I begin to giggle. “What?” he asks. I stand and take him by the hand. “I have no clue how to do this.” “It’s easy. Just remember, one-two-three rock back. I’ll help you, no worries.” I wink. After a few songs, he becomes a natural and, we are laughing, smiling, and dancing like we have been dance partners for years. When the song ends, they slow things down and Brett never lets go of my hands. Instead, he pulls me close to him as we sway back and forth and my lips meet his. He takes me from the dance floor and leads me to the marshwalk. We walk hand in hand from Wicked Tuna to Sisters Marina while looking at all of the fishing boats and yachts. On our way back, we walk a little slower and stop to watch the tide flow into the marsh. Brett wraps his arms around me and I can’t help but look into the clear Carolina night
sky and pray this is real.

**AMAZON * B&N * GOOGLE PLAY * iBOOKS * KOBO**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Casey Peeler grew up and still lives in North Carolina with her husband and daughter. Her first passion is teaching students with special needs. Over the years, she found her way to relax was in a good book.

After reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston her senior year of high school and multiple Nicholas Sparks’ novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading.

Casey is an avid reader, blogger (Hardcover Therapy), and author. Her perfect day consists of water, sand between her toes, a cold beverage, and a great book!

Connect with Casey

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Monday, 30 March 2015

Manga Review : 1/3 Romantica by Shibano Yuka

Title: 1/3 Romantica

Original Title: 1/3 Romantica

Author: Shibano Yuka

Artist: Shibano Yuka

Year of Release: 2008

Genres: Comedy, Romance, Shoujo, School Life

Status: Completed

Chapters (Translated in English): 3 + 2 one shots

Volumes & Chapters:

Volume 1 Chpaters 1-3 + 2 one shots

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary

Hana started going out with Tokumoto-kun, who's popular with both the class and the girls. She's being played around with by the guy's pace. Hana falls in love more and more with his kindness and his sense of humor. But, then she finds out about his ex-girlfriend, who is a teacher…!

Also includes two other stories:

• Cm na Futari
This is a love story between childhood friends.
They’ve always been together so it’s hard to go from childhood friends to lovers, right? Michika thinks that people who try to trick her are bastards, but Yuki saved her. She thought he was so cool that she fell in love.

• My Life My Melody
Aoi met Kei, the street guitarist after running away from home one day. Aoi’s life is not at all perfect as her family kept ignoring and not realizing her existence. Can Kei help Aoi to go through with her life?

My Thoughts

Review covers 3 chapters

Ah, a good old shoujo manga. There are only 3 chapters and 2 one shots in the book. You get a load of drama and romance mixed together in only 3 chapters. This was the first time I have read Shibano Yuka’s work, but I will be covering some of her other works later on the blog.

Well, let’s see what we have here. We have a girl – Hana who falls in love with her classmate Tokumoto Rintarou. As always every character in shoujo manga has its secrets. And of course Rin is no exception. It seems that he was dating the teacher, but when Hana confesses to him, he doesn’t reject her and they actually do start going out. Those parts are a lot of fun; their dates especially and the banter between Hana and Rin. There is a portion of heartbreak in the manga, when Hana breaks up with Rin, so he can go back to his first love. But what will Rin choose? Will he go back to his relationship with the teacher or will he go back to Hana to have a happy end?

I liked this manga for its simplicity and for the not disappointing as a short shoujo manga. The characters were well developed even though there was not much said about them. Especially Hana. She was really mature, if you can call it that. She is fun, but at the same time she loves Rin unconditionally and she wishes him to be happy even if he is not with her. You will like her a lot. You will also love the one shots included in the book: 1 centimeter and my melody.

I hope you find about 20 minutes to spare and read it. You’ll like it a lot. Enjoy it to its fullest. Happy reading. If you liked it, share your thoughts with me.

XOXO

Katie

Rating

Cover Reveal : Wishing on a Star by M. Stratton (The Star Sereis #2)

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000026_00023]

At what point do you stop wishing on stars?

Hannah Mills was content in her life. She was the personal assistant to best-selling author, Melissa Loring. But now Melissa was engaged to the famous actor, Will Martinsson, and they were traveling around the world based on his filming and interview schedule. Hannah loved traveling with them, but she didn’t want to run into Royce Rivers, Will’s co-star and friend. The same man she called friend, until one night, things went too far. She tried as hard as she could to keep him out of her heart and body, but she knew if she saw him again, she’d lose the battle, and she couldn’t allow herself to fall for him.

Royce Rivers grew up in the spotlight, a second-generation actor. When he was younger, he did everything and anything to rebel, becoming a typical Hollywood statistic on bad behavior. It took many years, but he cleaned his act up and was at a point in his life when he could try and enjoy it. Then one Miss Hannah Mills walked into his life and nothing was the same. He knew she was keeping something from him. If there was one thing he was familiar with, it was demons, and she had hers. What started as fun and games with a new friend, soon changed to something more. Royce wanted nothing more than to slay the demons which kept her away from him so they could have their happily ever after.

When two people battling demons meet and can no longer deny their feelings, there is nothing they can do but see if their wish comes true.

**AMAZON * B&N * KOBO**

M. Stratton is an International Amazon bestselling author in the romantic suspense and mystery suspense categories for her debut novel After the Storm. She is a self-proclaimed dork that loves to make people laugh and can trip over nothing. Her inner rock star is always on stage performing to a sold out crowd but is quiet and shy on the outside.

She lives with her husband and son in Arizona, which is a big difference from where she grew up north of Chicago Illinois. As an only child she learned to tell herself stories to make the long winters go by quicker while dreaming of summer vacations. Now as an adult she still makes up stories to pass the time, but now she writes them down to share with other people. When not writing you can find M. watching football (Go Bears!), NASCAR, or classic movies, watching her husband and father restore classic cars, and seeing who can be sillier, her or her son, and of course reading.

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Saturday, 28 March 2015

Book Haul & Blog Weekly #39

Book Haul & Blog Weekly is a weekly featute 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:

Seeress by Ednah Walters (Runes #3)

Goodreads – Amazon – Barnes & Noble

NetGalley/Edelweiss:

N/A

Author Request/Tour:

Gift of the Quoxxel by Richard Titus

Goodreads – Amazon

Tempest Soul

Goodreads – Amazon

For CoffeeTalk Writers Blog Review:

N/A

Gifted:

N/A

Blog Weekly:

Manga Review : Love So Life by Kouchi Kaede
5 Leaves

Waiting On Wednesday #35 : The Holiday from Hell by Demelza Carlton (Mell Goes to Hell #5)

Book Blitz : Broken Series by Maegan Abel

Cover Reveal : Flipside : Jessalyn's Story by Leia Madison

Hello everyone!

How's it been going? My week was quite crazy. I had to start on a project for my club, and it takes quite a lot of time! especially if i have to sketch the poster we want to use for advertising.

sorry for wailing a lot this days. however. one more week and i am going to have a spring break. meaning, lots of delicious home-made food and time to work both on blog and also on the projects at hand.

hope you had a good week! wish you a really nice weekend. I'll be going on a trip on Saturday. he he :D and then i will be having an amazing Sunday of studying for a midterm. sorry i am still wailing.

Pages

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

And Now for our Monthly Recap: Book Reviews:

And Now for our Monthly Recap:

Manga Reviews:

Manga Review : Half & Half by Seo Kouji 4 Leaves Manga Review: Tower of God by SIU 4.5 Leaves Manga Review : No Longer the Heroine by Koda Momoko 3.5 Leaves Manga Review : 1/3 Romantica by Shibano Yuka 3.5 Leaves Manga Review : Love So Life by Kouchi Kaede 5 Leaves

Book Blitzes:

Release Day Blitzes:

Cover Reveals :

Waiting On Wednesday:

Blog Tours:

AMAZON * B&N * GOOGLE PLAY * iBOOKS * KOBO

Monday, 30 March 2015

Summary

My Thoughts

Rating

AMAZON * B&N * KOBO

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Saturday, 28 March 2015

Book Haul:

Gifted:

And Now for our Monthly Recap:
Book Reviews:

Manga Review : Half & Half by Seo Kouji

4 Leaves

Manga Review: Tower of God by SIU

4.5 Leaves

Manga Review : No Longer the Heroine by Koda Momoko

3.5 Leaves

Manga Review : 1/3 Romantica by Shibano Yuka
3.5 Leaves

Manga Review : Love So Life by Kouchi Kaede

5 Leaves

**AMAZON * B&N * GOOGLE PLAY * iBOOKS * KOBO**

**AMAZON * B&N * KOBO**

**Website * Facebook * Twitter**