Monday, 30 November 2015

Monthly Blog Recap : November




Hello, 

 How is it going? Are you ready to embark winter, or is it already winter where you are? Here in Cyprus, it's still remnants of summer though right now in my city it's raining, and it's getting colder each day, so hopefully the winter will come to my home too, though I am too lazy to switch on the heater so I don't really want it to be honest. 

 The month was full of studying, reading and writing. And last few days especially. I actually read about 4 books in 2 days, and had to write 6 reviews, so it's going to be a busy month in December with lots of manga and book reviews for you to feast on. 

 I also have a project in my head, however, if it does go live that's a different story. It's quite time-consuming, and needs a lot of attention in the beginning, so I might put it in the summer when I hopefully will have more time to spend blogging. 

 I just looked through my blog and saw, that even though I was going to put the blog on Hiatus with my studies and everything, with my scheduling nearly all posts it's going pretty well. There are less posts from KC Book Promotions, and promo posts, but I will try to get more for you while I have time to spare. 

 Only 24 more days until Christmas, and I am quite ecstatic, as we will be spending the holiday in another city and I'll have time to explore it fully and take lots of pictures! 

 Tell me what are your plans, and if you would like me to review on of your favourite book or the book you are interested in! 

 Katie

And now our blog recap:


Book reviews:

Book Tour & Review: In the Eyes of Madness by Michael Pang KC Book Promotions
4 Leaves

4.5 Leaves

3.5 Leaves


Manga Reviews:

Manga Review: I'm Mama, You're Papa by Mi-Ri Hwang 
3.5 Leaves

 Manga Review: Library Wars: Love & War by Kiiro Yumi 

4.5 Leaves

5 Leaves

4.5 Leaves

3.5 Leaves

3.5 Leaves

2.5 Leaves


Release Day Blitz:

N/A

Book Blitz:

N/A

Cover Reveal: 

N/A

Blog Tour: 

Book Tour & Review: In the Eyes of Madness by Michael Pang KC Book Promotions
4 Leaves

Waiting on Wednesday: 




Random:






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Manga Review: Sensual Phrase by Mayu Shinjo



Title: Sensual Phrase
Original Title: Kaikan Phrase
Author: Mayu Shinjo
Artist: Mayu Shinjo

Year of Release: 1997
Genres: Drama, Mature, Romance, Shoujo, School Life, Smut

Status: Completed
Chapters (Translated in English): 84

Volumes & Chapters: 

Volume 1 Chapters 1-5                 Volume 7 Chapters 31-35                  Volume 13 Chapters 61-65
Volume 2 Chapters 6-9                 Volume 8 Chapters 36-40                  Volume 14 Chapters 66-70
Volume 3 Chapters 10-15             Volume 9 Chapters 41-45                  Volume 15 Chapters 71-75
Volume 4 Chapters 16-21             Volume 10 Chapters 46-49                Volume 16 Chapters 76-79
Volume 5 Chapters 22-27             Volume 11 Chapters 50-55                Volume 17 Chapters 80-82.5
Volume 6 Chapters 28-30             Volume 12 Chapters 56-60                Volume 18 Chapters 83-84.5

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary


Sakuya, the lead singer for the hard-rocking band Lucifer, is the unattainable object of desire for millions of hopeful women. Aine is the demure high school student who suddenly finds herself in the middle of a raucous rock'n'roll circus. Together they're writing the book of love — one hit song at a time!

My Thoughts


Review covers 84 chapters 

Hi, guys and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! I've recently been looking through my blog and I found that I had yet to review Mayu Shinjo's works. So I thought why not to start in a kind of chronological order; with her longest and most famous works - Sensual Phrase. 

 I have read this particular work at least 3 times, and nevertheless, I am always intrigued and sucked in the story as if I was reading for the first time. In the beginning, I was thinking of doing several reviews for this one, but then somehow ended up only doing one. And truth be told, I even lost the raw of the review, so right now I am writing whatever I remember from it. I didn't really have time to reread it again and write another review. 

 The story is fantastic and the characters are amazing. If you are up for a shobiz story, this is from where you should start. Get to know Sakuya and Aine, and get to know the most popular band in history - Lucifer. Are you ready to find out if the showbiz is just fame? or are you ready to dig deaper and find out what it mean to be famous? Lucifer will give you an insight to everything! 

 So how does everything start? Imagine, being a high-schooler (I'm in university so...) and writing sensual lyrics. And now imagine this, you were nearly run over by a car, and the person who steps out of it is a vocalist of a super popular band. All ends well, but then try to imagine this: your song is sang by that popular band and especially without your concent! And now you are asked to be a song writer. Awesome? yup, but that's not all, you'll have to read the story to get a chance to meet Aine and Sakuya. you will be having fun, but at the same time you will see that the story has many life issues. You won't be able to stop reading once you start!

 Enjoy it to your 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



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Saturday, 28 November 2015

Mini Manga Review: Wolf Kiss by Rina Yagami




Title: Wolf Kiss
Original Title: Ookami ni Kuchizuke
Author: Rina Yagami
Artist: Rina Yagami

Year of Release: 2012
Genres: Comedy, Drama, Mature, Romance, School Life, Shoujo, Smut

Status: Completed (Translation Ongoing)
Chapters (Translated in English): 5

Volumes & Chapters: 

 2 Volumes in Total

Mangafox – Goodreads

Summary


My name is Takahashi Akane. I found a good boyfriend. His name is Kurotsuki Yuito. But he lies like a fox. But...aren't lies the beginning of love?!

My Thoughts


Review covers 11 chapters 

Hi guys! Welcome back to Katie’s corner! Today I have a very sweet romance story for you. It's a completed series, but well it's yet to be fully translated on mangafox or any other websites. How I am making a mini review, when my policy is no mini review for an ongoing manga? Well, here's the thing I waited patiently for updates for more than a year, and maybe it was just luck, but when I was looking for another one, I found a link that I have completely forgotten about. Yep, the raffmanga.ch or whatever it is called now. Because they make an update to the domain without actually sending out the notification email, or it was just me who didn't receive it. Okay, that's not the problem here.

The thing is, that I went over to it, and saw that a very good Samaritan, don't really know the real name, has uploaded and even translated it into English. Please receive my immense gratitude, as I could sit and read it and actually enjoy it. Well, if you have the time and patience, feel free to go over there, sign up and read as much as you want.

Now back to the review. I loved this short manga. There are only 2 volumes 11 chapters in total. It does have this smut tag, but there was only one chapter that actually answered to it. I love Yagami Rina a lot; her best and longest manga series is 17- kiss dilemma. I actually need to read it to the end; well hopefully it will be translated soon. Her style and stories remind me a bit of Chiba Kozue's. I mean this one was so similar to love, kiss, body. Though it is different in many aspects.

To say the truth, it ended a bit too well; I mean the whole father-son dilemma was done really in a rush. In the end I nearly had heart attack, because we do not see Yuito for 3 pages after the operation and they are at the freaking cemetery, but as soon we see the leg, we calm down, he lived through it.

It is your normal love after fake dating. But it was very nicely done. Especially both Yuito's and Akane's feelings, and how they realized they were in love with each other. Yuito's absolute confession was amazing, sorry can't post it here, I only have it with Japanese words.

Only think that got me confused was why the hell does Akane still call Yuito by his surname? Isn't it her surname too now? But maybe the translator got it wrong or something. Overall, this is a cute love story with a bit of swing to mature context. I loved it, and I hope you will love it too. Stay tuned for more. And sorry if the mini review became a full review. I was typing it on my phone so no word count there. Happy reading!

XOXO

 Katie

Rating



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Book Haul & Blog Weekly #74


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:

N/A

NetGalley/Edelweiss:

N/A

Author Request/Tour:



Occupied by Joss Sheldon 

Goodreads – Amazon – Barnes & Noble



Hazzard Blue by Tabitha A. Lane

Goodreads – Amazon


N/A

Gifted:

N/A


Blog Weekly:



Manga Review: The One by Nicky Lee 
4.5 Leaves

 Book Review: Occupied by Joss Sheldon
4.5 Leaves

 Waiting on Wednesday #70 Oblivion

 Manga Review: Cute Boyfriend by Go Ikeyamada 
4.5 Leaves

 Book Review: Hazzard Blue by Tabitha A. Lane 
3.5 Leaves

 Mini Manga Review: Wolf Kiss by Rina Yagami
4 Leaves


Hello, 

And welcome back to Katie's Corner! How have you been? I've been in my exam mode, so mostly I was sulking and instead of getting ready I was just reading here and there. I have some awesome books as well as mangas this week, so if you haven't seen them, check them out!

XOXO

Katie 
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Friday, 27 November 2015

Book Review: Hazzard Blue by Tabitha A. Lane




Summary (from Goodreads)

Title: Hazzard Blue 

Author: Tabitha A. Lane

Publication Date: 13 February 2015

Publisher: --- 

Goodreads – Amazon – Barnes & Noble






Summary:



“You want to host a sex party in my house? What do you think this is, Mr. Hunt, Eyes Wide Shut?” 

Kathryn Hazzard needs a miracle if she's going to pay her huge tax bill and urgently repair Hazzard Hall’s leaking roof - inheriting the family stately home isn't the rose garden it’s cracked up to be. When salvation turns up on her doorstep in the form of gorgeous Daniel Hunt, can she risk her reputation by letting him use her beloved home as the venue for his high class and outrageous sex party? 

It's tempting. But then lots of things are tempting, aren't they? It doesn't mean they're good for you. Just ask Eve about that apple… 

HAZZARD BLUE IS AN EROTIC ROMANCE WITH NO CLIFFHANGER!


My Thoughts:


Well, this was quite good. I got this book back in October, and truthfully I read it one day after getting it, forget the enormous pile of other books. Let me be honest now, I was expecting more, much more from this book. The idea of hosting a Sex party, that’s what intrigued me the most and well the only thing I got from it was the main heroes indulged themselves in passion and that the setting looked exactly like on a movie Sex Lies. Now, let be honest I have no idea about that movie, therefore just hinting the descriptions to it didn’t give me anything, it actually frustrated me a lot. Yes, I love my books when they offer me some kind of description that I can actually imagine.

The book is an erotic romance, however, I wouldn’t really out the romance tag on it. Both character killed the essence of romance without even trying. Believe me, ever though I’m young, I’ve read a great number of erotic romances and unfortunately this one doesn’t top my list of favourites. Pity, because I was waiting for something outstanding when I asked for the reviews copy. But I got a normal book. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it, I finished it in 2 or so hours after starting, however, after finishing the book I had this hollowness inside me that wasn’t filled after reading the book. Daniel and Kathryn are nice characters, though I did question their morals in some pats. They have their faults but together they make an interesting couple, well, their couple-y thing that was only shown was sex and some arguments. Not a lot to form a better imagine in my head.

The book is focused on sex. Yes, all erotic novels are, but this one didn’t see anything other that that. Ad honestly that was driving me nuts. I got excited when there was the near murder scene, but the suspense died before it even was born. Who lays all the cars in the very beginning? Did I say that both characters killed romance? You’ll have to read the book t the end, the whole “I love you” and “want to spend eternity with you” is so unromantic I was actually thinking something happened to my romance detector.

But as always, do not solely judge the book by my review, even though I was pointing out the points that I disliked for you they might be the ones you’ll love. It is a nice book to take your mind off everyday problems. Are you ready to meet Kathryn Hazzard and Daniel Hunt? If yes, then what are you waiting for? Grab your copy now, and enjoy it to your fullest. 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


My Rating:





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Thursday, 26 November 2015

Manga Review: Cute Boyfriend by Go Ikeyamada




Title: Cute Boyfriend 
Original Title: Moe Kare!!
Author: Go Ikeyamada
Artist: Go Ikeyamada 

Year of Release: 2004
Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama, Martial Arts, Mature, Romance, School Life, Shoujo

Status: Completed 
Chapters (Translated in English): 34.5

Volumes & Chapters: 7 Voumes

 Volume 1 Chapters 1-5               Volume 4 Chapters 16-20.5                     Volume 7 Chapters 31-34.5
Volume 2 Chapters 6-10.5          Volume 5 Chapters 21-25
Volume 3 Chapters 11-15.5        Volume 6 Chapters 26-30

Mangafox – Goodreads


Summary


Wakamiya Hikaru is a 15 year old teenager who read Shoujo mangas all the time. She wants a boyfriend that'll protect her and be her prince, just like in the mangas. One day... she gets into a tough situation and she was saved by a handsome boy. In return for saving her, she gets kissed by the boy who she calls the "Perverted Prince." Later on, she finds a guy who looks exactly like him, but has different eyes? What's going on?

At last, who will she choose to be with? The "Perverted Prince" or the other guy that looks just like him but different colored eyes...? There is a love triangle going on...!

My Thoughts


Review covers 34.5 chapters 

Hi, guys and welcome back to Katie’s Corner! I was looking through my manga reviews and saw that apparently I haven't yet posted only one story by Go Ikeyamada - Get Love. And that's one of my favourite manga-kas. I know I have quite a lot of those, but technically she's on par with Chiba Kozue, Kanan Minami and Mayu Shinjo. I love her stories and I love her art. She's one of those who masterfully delivers love stories with a lot of humor. And very soon I will be reviewing her other works though the ones that are left haven't been finished either serialization or translation. So be patient and wait for those. 

 But let me get back to the story. Is it a fantastic love triangle story that I have read more than 5 times. I mean it, anytime I have a bad day or just want to have fun, this is one of the first mangas that I open up. It masterfully combines romance, shoujo, comedy and smut. Yes, you are not mistaken there is 18+ material here, but it's put on such a cute level that you can't not just say: "Ah, this is just perfect!" As I have already mentioned this is a love triangle, and you'll be having lots of fun to know how it works. It's a two boys one girl romance, and the worst part is that the boys are half brothers and look totally alike. Opps... I just made a major spoiler, but well, it's going to be revealed until the fist volume ends. So no worries here. 

 Well, let me cut it short, as I am making a total blunder here, not even knowing what am I saying. I love this story for a lot of reasons. It's very funny but at the same time it gives us many life situations that might happen to any one of us. All characters are very complex, and you just fall in love with all of them. Which one is going to be your favourite: Arata or Takara? The pervert prince or the real prince? I was frustrated with the perfect prince and his choices and I just wanted to kill him. Yes, it was one of those times when I really wanted to kill a fictional character. 

 I loved Arata a lot, and I believe he did deserve to Hikaru, as he worked his ass off to make his love happen. But let me end it here, as I do not really want to spoil everything. It's up to you to start reading this fantastic work! 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 favourie book or manga. Happy reading!

 XOXO

Katie

Rating



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Wednesday, 25 November 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #70 Oblivion


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.


Oblivion by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Lux #1.5

1 December 2015

Goodreads

Experience the epic love story of OBSIDIAN as told by its hero, Daemon Black…

I knew the moment Katy Swartz moved in next door, there was going to be trouble. Lots of it.

And trouble’s the last thing I need, since I’m not exactly from around here. My people arrived on Earth from Lux, a planet thirteen billion light years away. Plus, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that humans can’t be trusted. We scare them. We can do things they only dream about, and honestly, we make them look weak as hell. ‘Cuz they are.

But Kat is getting to me in ways no one else has, and I can't stop myself from wanting her—or wanting to use my powers to protect her. She makes me weak, and I’m the strongest of our kind, tasked with protecting us all. So this one simple girl…she can mean the end for us. Because the Luxen have an even bigger enemy—the Arum, and I need to stay on my game.

Falling for Katy—a human—won't just place her in danger. It could get us all killed, and that’s one thing I’ll never let happen... 

What are you waiting for?

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Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Book Review: Occupied by Joss Sheldon




Summary (from Goodreads)

Title: Occupied

Author: Joss Sheldon

Publication Date: 22 October 2015

Publisher: Createspace

Goodreads – Amazon – Barnes & Noble






Summary:



SOME PEOPLE LIVE UNDER OCCUPATION.
SOME PEOPLE OCCUPY THEMSELVES.
NO ONE IS FREE.

Step into a world which is both magically fictitious and shockingly real, to follow the lives of Tamsin, Ellie, Arun and Charlie; a refugee, native, occupier and economic migrant. Watch them grow up during a halcyon past, an everyday present, and a dystopian future. And be prepared to be amazed.

Inspired by the occupations of Palestine, Kurdistan and Tibet, and by the corporate occupation of the west, ‘Occupied’ is a haunting glance into a society which is a little too familiar for comfort. It truly is a unique piece of literary fiction… 


My Thoughts:



I enjoyed every aspect of this book. Every minute I was reading, it gave some kind of satisfaction. I do not know how to explain it, but I believe this is one book that is worth to read! Starting with the cover that is very intriguing and makes you want to start read the book right away, to the story itself. Once you start it, you can’t put it down. When I got the book, I was intrigued by the cover and the title right away, and while I did have some bad experience with the whole “Don’t judge the book by it’s cover”, this time I am happy that I got to read it, as it drew my attention to make issues that are happening in today’s world.

The summary of the book is very vague; we do not really get a lot of information, though I believe the slogan:

“SOME PEOPLE LIVE UNDER OCCUPATION
SOME PEOPLE OCCUPY THEMSELVES
NO ONE IS FREE”

is a fantastic description of the book. I actually felt the atmosphere of the book. It is not something that the average reader will enjoy, as the book dwells a lot on the hardships and negativities in the reality, and yes, not all of us want to read about that in books too. However, that’s is what makes this books so noticeable. The author expertly builds four main characters: Tasmin, Ellie, Arun and Charlie. We experience their lives along side them. Every chapter is dedicated to one characters and that makes us live their lives fully with them. The book is divided in three parts: Childhood, Adolescence and Adulthood. The author fantastically builds his world, first through the child’s eye on the corrupt society, then the naïve adolescence and finally the perception and understanding that the adulthood brought to our characters.


This story is one of the must-reads in today’s world. It’s terrifying how the author makes you think about the issues in the book. The book makes you think if all those events actually happened, and that just makes you google all of the events in the book to know more about them, to know the “real” things! Get your copy now to enjoy this fantastically realistic book!

My Rating:





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