Review: Blonde who Came in from the Cold

 

* Book 2 in the Blonde Identity books *

Alex joined the CIA, but the night before she met a man. He told her not to get on the bus. Alex and King always seemed to be paired up on missions. They can't stand each other, but they also learn to trust each other. Most of the time. 

But time passes, things change. King gets out. Alex goes rogue. No one knows how to find her, not even King. Nothing is as it seems. But they might be only able to trust each other. 

My Thoughts: I loved this book. Things that I loved: the dual timeline, the enemies to lovers trope, the connections to the previous books, the trust issues, the twists and turns one expects from an Ally Carter novel. I love her books. I'm so happy to have more adult (or YA) books from Ally Carter. 

Cover Thoughts: Perfect

Source: My Library

Why I Read It: Ally Carter is an author I will always read. 

Library Recommendations: A must have romance thriller for your collection

Favorite Line: The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year

I read this book:

It's amazing. I'm reviewing it for Fresh Fiction.

But here's my favorite line from the book:

BookTok: Favorite Adult Authors

Yesterday, I talked about my love for Ally Carter. Here are a few other adult authors I will always read

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Adult authors I will always read - who are your favorites? #booktok #romancebooks #favoriteauthor #mustread #Inverted ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

BookTok: The Blonde Identity

I love Ally Carter's books, so I was thrilled to hear about her adult book.

I grabbed it as soon as it came in at the library and devoured it. It everything I wanted it to be! 

 

@yabooknerdlibrarian 5 Things: I LOVED Ally Carter’s new book for adults! So amazing! All the stars 🤩🤩🤩 #spies #booktok #5things #spybook #avonbooks ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Top Ten Tuesday: Series

 This week's topic is all about Series we didn't want to end. I am such a series reader, I adore them. There are several I didn't want to end.

Some of these have so many books, but I would always read more:

I just miss everyone

I want the step-sisters' stories

I need so many more of these - also what is Hale's name! We need to know.

I want this series to continue through high school

I need to find out more about young Dinah (and her mom).

Actually - most of the DC origin stories could use more stories.

There's so much more to this story!

I need more about the twins! And maybe it's coming? Goodreads says #1, but there is no info for #2

Hopefully there's a winter book coming or maybe Spring. Doesn't matter, I just want more of this blended family on a farm.

I love this family - I need more stories about them. 

I'd be happy reading more about the characters in this one. Loved it!

And you? Which books need to be in a series or more books written in that series????

Top Ten Tuesday: Books from the Past

 This week's topic is books that we read and loved 10 years ago. It was fun putting this post together and seeing what I read and loved back in the day.

@yabooknerdlibrarian 10 years ago I was reading these YA books and loving them! #booktok #toptentuesday #YAbooks #5starreads #booktalk ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Top Ten Tuesday: Sequels

 This week's topic is all about books we wish has a sequel. There's nothing like spending more time with favorite characters and getting to know new characters in the same world.

Straight Sequels:

I heard a rumor, if this does well, more could be coming. Fingers Crossed!

I had a hard time saying Goodbye to these Characters - wouldn't find a companion novel

So many of these DC origin story graphic novels only have one volume. But I would like more books! 

Books That Are Sequels That Need More:

 

There were still some questions left unanswered. I want more.

On a related note, I'm still dying for more Heist Society Books by this author too

This family is fantastic! 

Did the third book ever get published? I can't find it!

I loved these ladies helping ladies and I want SO many more of them!

Middle Grade Review: Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery

 

April thought everything was fixed and everyone would be happy. But life isn't a fairy tale. Secrets have a way to coming out. And when April accidentally puts herself on the front page of the paper - trouble starts following them around.

The orphans all know that Gabriel is a vigilante - but it seems he's not the only one. When he becomes involved in a case, April only wants to help. But she makes a bigger mess out of everything.

Now there's no one to take care of them. And someone will stop at nothing to gain control over them and the family fortune.

My Thoughts: Another fantastic novel in this world. I really hope there are more Winterborne books coming. I love these characters and their adventures. I loved Gabriel's grumpiness. I loved all the action and the danger and the mystery. Most of all, I simply enjoyed spending more time with these characters. 

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries.

Review: Winterborne House for Vengeance and Valor

April knows her mother's coming back for her. She isn't interested in settling down for the long haul in her foster houses. When she accidentally starts a fire in a museum, she's sure she's in serious trouble. Instead, someone wants to take her in.

At first she isn't sure about the Winterborne house, but it grew on her. Even if there is something creepy going on. April isn't scared; she's determined to uncover the truth about her past, the truth about the house, and the truth about the ghost haunting it.

She just might need a little help from her new housemates.

My Thoughts: I love Ally Carter's books. I was super excited to hear that she was going to write a middle grade - dare I hope to say series? I loved this book from the characters to the house to the secrets. I couldn't put it down and I seriously hope there are more coming, especially after that ending!

I loved April and how she started to learn the history of Winterborne. I loved her new family and how they each had their secrets and talents. I loved the Rube Goldberg machines. Lots of action, danger, secret passageways, and plot twists that you'd expect in an Ally Carter book. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: A must have book for your school and public libraries.

Review: Dear Ally

Dear Ally, 

How do you write a book?

Love aspiring authors everywhere

This is the hardest question to answer. Ally Carter pens a fantastic novel for teen writers (really any writer of all ages). She answers tons of questions and breaks writing down.

There is no real answer to write a book, but she gives tons of helpful tips and tricks.

Other favorite YA authors chime in with answers too.

Questions about Conflict, Pacing, Worldbuilding, Characters, and more are discussed.

Ally also touches on the business side of writing - agents, publishers, editors.

She talks about Going Pro and trying to find an agent vs writing just for you and for fun.

Library Recommendation: A must have writing book for school and public libraries. There are SO many teen writers out there. Hook them up with this book.

Review: Not if I Save Your First

Maddie thought she and Logan would be best friends forever, until an incident drove them thousands of miles apart. Maddie still wrote to Logan, but he never wrote back. Eventually, she realizes she was almost alone in the world - until one day ten years later when he showed up on her doorstep.

Maddie's spent the last ten years in the Alaskan wilderness. She's  annoyed and angry with her former best friend and she wants answers. What she doesn't expect is for him to follow her when she's doing her chores.

She doesn't expect a man to come out of nowhere and attack her. Sure Logan's the President's son and he's a valuable target, but they shouldn't have found him here. Now she's the only one who can save him. Even if she wants to kill him herself.

My Thoughts: I loved this book and was so glad to read it. I'm a HUGE Ally Carter fan. I loved Maddie's toughness, but also how she was in tough with her girly side (bedazzled hatchet anyone?). I loved the danger and the action - both the wilderness and from the bad guys. I loved the letters from Maddie and how she kept asking him about them, asking him to explain what happened to her. I couldn't put this book down, which isn't unusual for an Ally Carter book. She writes the perfect blend of romance, humor, danger, and action.

Cover Thoughts: Perfect
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries - it's a must have.

Top Ten Tuesday: 2018 Books

Yes, I know it's not Tuesday, but I missed this week because of the holidays. But I still wanted to share. I'm going to limit myself (or try at least). There are some great looking books coming out next year!

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish 

YA:

Adult:

But that's not even the tip of the iceberg - I have so many others that I can't wait to read!

What books are you looking forward to reading? Any that are on my list too?

Mini Review: Take the Key and Lock Her Up

 * Book 3 in the Embassy Row trilogy *

Secrets have a way of coming out. Now that Grace knows the truth about her lineage, she's on the run. She's worried about her injured brother. She's worried about her friends. Most of all, she's worried about her future.

And when she's worried, she comes up with a terrible idea for a plan...

Things I enjoyed:
All the plot twists and turns
Danger
Action
Secrets
Royalty
Friendship
Romance
Betrayal
Loyalty
Bravery
Determination

There's so much going on in this last book of the trilogy. I really did like Grace. She was determined to find the answers. Sure she made some bad choices (who doesn't). But she's strong and she's a survivor.

I can't wait to see what Ally Carter writes next!

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommend this series for all YA departments.

Top Ten Tuesdays: 2016 Books Still

This week's topic is 2016 books I still need to read (and there are a LOT of them) but I will attempt to limit myself to the first 10 I spot that I really MUST read ASAP.

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish