Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly event hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, where we make bookish lists of bookish topics.

This week's topic is:

Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most Books From

1. Rachel Vincent (11 books) Still have to read her Shifters series, but she is by far my favourite author!

2. Sophie Kinsella (13 books) She's still one of my favourites, though I still haven't read Shopaholic to the Stars

3. Sarah Dessen (10 books) Only two more of hers that I need to read. Love them!

4. Colleen Hoover (12 books) I've read them all and I've loved all of them!

5. Cora Carmack (7 books) Literally my favourite New Adult author. She's so sweet!

6. Miranda Kenneally (6 books) More please.

7. K.A. Tucker (8 books) Breaks my heart every time, but I always come back for more. A fantastic writer.

8. Nicholas Sparks (12 books) Yes, I was really into Nick for a while there, but I've kind of grown out of it so even though there are still about 5 to read and on my shelf, I'll probably never get around to them, unless they make them into movies, that seems to get the ball rolling.

9. Sophie Jordan (8 books) Both her Teen and New Adult books have blown me away.

10. Lauren Oliver (10 books) The queen of YA. Her writing is amazing and I've loved every one of her books. Can't wait for another one!

It's easy to read a lot of books from an author when they write well and continue making great series. Even better when they move between genres, like Ya and NA to keep me interested. Who are some of your go-tos?

Review: Unleashed

Unleashed
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: February 24th, 2015
Hardcover, 368 pages
3 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Davy has spent the last few months trying to come to terms with the fact that she tested positive for the kill gene HTS (also known as Homicidal Tendency Syndrome). She swore she would not let it change, and that her DNA did not define her... but then she killed a man.

Now on the run, Davy must decide whether she'll be ruled by the kill gene or if she'll follow her heart and fight for her right to live free. But with her own potential for violence lying right beneath the surface, Davy doesn't even know if she can trust herself.

The first book in this series, Uninvited, blew me away. Sophie Jordan's books have always had a mix of romance and adventure, so I had high hopes going into this one, the second book in a two book series. We left Davy on the run with her gorgeous boyfriend Sean and two friends as they try to escape the white coats that want to use them as weapons. But Davy is haunted by the memory of the man she killed to protect Sean and that feeling just won't go away.

I must mention a huge spoiler here because it's such a big part of the book and I know those who have read this one will understand. Davy gets separated from her friends and ends up in the middle of a rebellion camp, where she meets Caden, a guy she quickly gets attached to. This pissed a lot of us off. It's a two part series and Sophie changes the love interest? I loved Sean and I wanted them to be together so badly, but I will be honest, I loved the new guy. He was a great hero and love interest and his feelings for Davy seemed genuine. The moments they had together were swoon-worthy (as Sophie is a fabulous romance writer) The way she wrote this romance made perfect sense to the story and I was happy with the outcome to everything. I mean it was strange and it took me off guard and I really wanted Sean to be happy, but in the end, I understood why Sophie played it out that way.

The new romance wasn't my pet-peeve with this book. Davy's days spent in the camp were written wonderfully and I loved all the new people she met. Her bravery and power were harnessed and even though she realized having the kill gene inside of her really does make her react differently, she`took that power and used it to gain respect. I wish there had been more focus on the rebellion or anything having to do with HTS. It seemed almost like the hoopla over all of it happened quietly in the background and was all nicely solved into a nice little package without Davy even having to lift a finger. I guess this could be seen as realistic, a young girl may not actually be able to help stop the government, but I wish there had been more to this story than Davy falling in love again and the world suddenly being an okay place for her to live in. It seemed forced and unfinished and I wish, oh man do I wish, that I had loved every last bit of this book. There is no explanation for why the HTS exists or how to actually fix it. Everyone just goes on knowing that they are carriers but trying to live normal lives.

I'm glad I got a happily ever after though. Davy and Caden's short but sweet story ended nicely and as did everyone else's. The writing was great and Sophie is a pro at love scenes. She'll always be one of my favourites in the kissing department. Here's hoping I like her next book better!

Waiting on Wednesday: Unleashed

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, where we spotlight an upcoming release we are eagerly waiting for.

My WoW this week is:

Unleashed
By Sophie Jordan
Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected Publication: February 24, 2015

From Goodreads:

Davy has spent the last few months trying to come to terms with the fact that she tested positive for the kill gene HTS (also known as Homicidal Tendency Syndrome). She swore she would not let it change her, and that her DNA did not define her... but then she killed a man.

Now on the run, Davy must decide whether she'll be ruled by the kill gene or if she'll follow her heart and fight for her right to live free. But with her own potential for violence lying right beneath the surface, Davy doesn't even know if she can trust herself. 

I loved Sophie's first book in this series, Uninvited, where we were introduced to this world where people test to see if you'll be a killer. It was crazy and felt surprisingly real and Davy's story broke my heart yet gave me a lot of hope. I can't wait to read more about her story and see where it takes her next. Sophie's writing is gorgeous and I'm a fan of all her work, so I can't wait for more of it!

Review: Tease

Tease
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: May 27, 2014
Paperback, 320 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

What happens when a girl who always calls the shots meets a guy who's too wild for even her?

A born flirt and good-time party girl, Emerson has never had a problem finding a willing guy. She's always chosen her hookups carefully, and she's never broken her three cardinal rules:

Never let them see the real you.
Never fall in love.
Always leave them begging for more.

Then Shaw comes along. A hottie from the wrong side of the tracks, he's immune to her flirtatious banter and come-hither smile. After rescuing her from a disastrous night at a biker bar, he doesn't even try to take her to bed—he calls her a tease and sends her home instead. Unable to resist a challenge, or forget the sexy, dark-eyed, bad-boy biker, she vows to bring him to his knees.

But instead of making Shaw beg, Emerson finds herself craving him. For the first time in her life, she's throwing out her rule book. Suddenly, she's the one panting for a guy she can't control—a guy who won't settle for anything less than the real Emerson and who forces her to do things she's never imagined, including facing a past she thought she'd buried.

A guy who just might leave her wanting more. . . 

Sophie Jordan is a perfect fit for the New Adult genre. Her first book in this series, Foreplay, was the sort of NA that I've been waiting to come across, and this second book is no different. Emerson is the kind of girl I love reading about, a girl who's strong and knows just how far she can go without losing control. She has everything under control until she meets Shaw, a guy who makes her go weak at the knees and scares her because she can't control herself around him. She flirts with him, trying to get him wrapped around her finger, but he has his own ideas. He wants the real Emerson, the one she won't let anyone see, and he won't let her have him until she does.

Oh my god, these two characters! Sexual tension as soon as their eyes meet ran through the pages until the very end. Shaw is the typical guy you'd find in a NA novel, bad boy, hot, fit, but I had no problem with this whatsoever. I guess that's why they're all the same - the author knows we won't mind. I loved Emerson the most because she was so different from Pepper, the lead in Foreplay. Emerson has a lot more experience and isn't afraid to go after what she wants. I loved that the characters from the book made a lot of appearances in this one. I love that the three main characters are all roommates and friends and they each get a story to tell on their own. Pepper and Reece were adorable as the couple in the background as Emerson tries to find out what she really wants out of a guy. The friendships are so strong and I love to see that in books. I think it's more important to have good friends than a good boyfriend, but why not have both? 

Jordan's writing flows perfectly. I got right into the story in the first chapter and couldn't wait to find out what happened between Emerson and Shaw. Just as much drama and love as the first one, which a lot of obstacles stopping our leads from being together. The perfect guilty read that will surely make you feel good at the end. A sweet, quick read with some steamy scenes throughout the book. I can't wait for Wild, Georgia's story, to come out later this year. Jordan has topped my NA list for sure!

“I want you,” he said starkly, the barest quiver in his hoarse voice. “Me and you. Together.” He drew in a deep breath, his broad chest lifting. “But I can’t chase you forever.”

Review: Uninvited

Uninvited
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: January 28, 2014
Hardcover, 384 pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

The Scarlet Letter meets Minority Report in bestselling author Sophie Jordan's chilling new novel about a teenage girl who is ostracized when her genetic test proves she's destined to become a murderer.

When Davy Hamilton's tests come back positive for Homicidal Tendency Syndrome (HTS)-aka the kill gene-she loses everything. Her boyfriend ditches her, her parents are scared of her, and she can forget about her bright future at Juilliard. Davy doesn't feel any different, but genes don't lie. One day she will kill someone.

Only Sean, a fellow HTS carrier, can relate to her new life. Davy wants to trust him; maybe he's not as dangerous as he seems. Or maybe Davy is just as deadly.


The minute I opened this book, I was hooked. Jordan has created this world that doesn't seem too unlike our own where people are tested for HTS, aka the kill gene. Those with tendencies to become murders are labelled as such and become outcasts to society. Davy has a great life, a great boyfriend and goes to a prestigious school, but when she tests positive for HTS, suddenly everything is gone. She is uninvited from her school and is sent to public school to learn along side other carriers. Her new life as a carrier is off to a rocky start and it just shows how brutal her life will be from now on. Stuck in a basement with only a few students and a very sketchy teacher, Davy quickly finds herself trusting Sean, a fortified killer based on the tattooed confirmation around his neck. She knows she should stay away from him, but he is always there for her and she starts to see too much of herself in him.

I related to Davy right away. Not that I live a privileged life or anything, but I know I would hate it if I lost what I have. She reacted so perfectly, too scared to really say anything but dying to break away on the inside. The way she deals with being uninvited and thrown into this new school just shows how brave she is. The scariest thing is that this could happen so easily in our world. One word and we could be separated and those who have done wrong could easily be labelled as such for the world to see. I think that's what scared me most about this book - how easily it is for society to turn against you even if you haven't done anything wrong. Day has never murdered anyone, never done anything even close to it. But as soon as she is marked a carrier, the world assumes she will. And when she does use a violent act to protect herself (like any sane person would do) she is suddenly thrust into the same category as murderers. I needed to know more and I kept turning the page to see how Davy would survive this new world. Throughout the novel, I found myself realizing that I would react the same way as her, I'd do the same things she does to get out of awful situations and by the end of it, I was rooting so loudly for her that I can't wait to read the rest of her story.

This books shows that just because someone is characterized as something does not mean that defines them. Sean may have the mark around his neck but you can't judge a book by its cover. He is protective of Davy, knowing that she is going through the same thing as him. They are both labelled as something they're not and forced to live with the consequences. I fell in love with their relationship, hoping that they can both overcome the obstacles in front of them and make it through life unscratched. Jordan continues to impress me and based on the ending of this book, I know I'm in for more of a wild ride with the sequel, Unleashed. 

“Ironic. I'm here because of my inherent dangerousness, but it's my inherent politeness that makes me put up with this. With him.” 

Review: Foreplay

Foreplay

Author: Sophie Jordan

Published: November 5, 2013

Paperback, 320 pages

4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Before she goes after the life she’s always wanted, she’s about to find the one she needs. 

Pepper has been hopelessly in love with her best friend’s brother, Hunter, for like ever. He’s the key to everything she’s always craved: security, stability, family. But she needs Hunter to notice her as more than just a friend. Even though she’s kissed exactly one guy, she has just the plan to go from novice to rock star in the bedroom—take a few pointers from someone who knows what he’s doing.

Her college roommates have the perfect teacher in mind. But bartender Reece is nothing like the player Pepper expects. Yes, he’s beyond gorgeous, but he’s also dangerous, deep—with a troubled past. Soon what started as lessons in attraction are turning both their worlds around, and showing just what can happen when you go past foreplay and get to what’s real…

I think this has been my favourite New Adult book yet. I'm still new to this genre and have been iffy about picking up some books. But Jordan's Firelight series is one of my favourite's and I just finished Uninvited, so I hoped that because I enjoyed her YA so much, I'd like something out she's written. I wasn't wrong. This book had as much fire and heart as her others and I had a really great time reading it. Pepper is very sweet and innocent and has her future planned out - she is going to marry her best friend's brother, Hunter. But Hunter only sees her as his little sister and she is determined to change this. The problem is she has no experience at all and doesn't want to go in unprepared. So when her friends tell her about a hot bartender who beds lots of women, Pepper is ready to track him down and get him to teach her a thing or two. But things don't work out as planned. Reece is hot yes, and he sure looks experienced, but he is also really good with kids, cares a lot about his bar and rescues girls from the side of the road when their cars break down. Can Pepper just be involved with him to gain experience or is the way he's making her feel going to interfere with her plans for Hunter? 

Pepper is an average girl and more relatable than some characters NA these days. She focuses on school, babysits to be able to afford it and tries to make her friends happy by going along with their plans. So when her friends finally get her to the bar, her awkwardness getting his attention. Everything Pepper has planned changes when she really gets to know Reece and would could blame her? Reece is not the player Pepper pegs him to be. He is sweet and caring, and shows his affection for her in more ways than one throughout the novel. I love that nothing goes as planned. As soon as we meet Reece, I knew he'd be more than a fling for Pepper. Both Pepper and Reece regret their first impressions of each other, gradually becoming more aware of each other and their needs throughout the novel. Their interactions are fantastic to read, both when they first meet and have very different opinions of each other and later when they can't decide the next steps to take. I fell in love with them as they discovered each other. The pacing is perfect, and it kept me on the edge of my seat, toes curled, as I begged Pepper to go to Reece every time she told herself not too. The amount of tension between them is frustrating, as I think I wanted them to get together more than they did!

The notable difference in YA and NA is easily pinpointed - there are no hold bars when it comes to sexuality in NA. I love the young love, the first kisses, and the stolen moments in YA, but I won't deny how enjoyable it was to read about physical contact in its truest form. Relationships are taken to the next level and it adds to the story in a way. I felt a real connection between Pepper and Reece as they experience real life moments that college students would definitely be involved in. The title tells it all, I supposed, and I wasn't let down. This whole book was foreplay and I didn't get satisfaction until the end. Throw in some humour, genius side characters (Emerson is the main character in the second book, Tease) and a very dramatic happy ending, and I'm willing to give NA another try. 

“I wouldn’t have waited this long for you. I would have already showed up at your dorm the minute I decided I wanted you. I wouldn’t leave until I convinced you that you were mine” 

Review: Breathless & Annabel

As I've mentioned before, I love novellas, especially ones that advance a story I already love. Here are two recent ones I read:

 Breathless
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: December 4, 2012
100 pages (ebook)
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

For Az, it's supposed to be a fun summer vacation with her family. Nothing complicated. Just a quick trip to test the waters as she prepares for a year on her own. That all changes when she rescues a drowning girl and meets Tate—the most gorgeous human boy she's ever seen. Tate throws her heart, her plans, and her life into upheaval, but the closer she gets to him, the harder it is to hide the secret of what she is. With no hope for a future together, the last thing that can ever happen . . . is love.

Az, a character we didn't really get a chance to know, gets the spotlight in this Firelight novella. Though I'm sure when this story is supposed to take place or where in the plot it fits it, I loved it anyway. Jacinda is a distant character, though her name does come up as Az falls deeper into danger when she meets Tate and cant seem to stop herself from being with him. She thinks of Jacinda as someone who would never put her pride at risk (which makes me think this happens before Firelight) 

Az is a water draki, feeling most at home when she's deep underwater. Swimming one day, she gets stuck at the bottom when a group of kids come to the pond and start to swim. Risking being caught, she saves one of Tate's friends, thus throwing their lives together in a way she never imagined. A much shorter and not nearly as dangerous love story as Jacinda's, Az too finds herself drawn to the human world and willing to risk everything to be with the one she loves. The 100 pages don't give us a chance to see big differences between Az and Jacinda, but I love Az and would love to read more about her.

Jordan, who is also a romance novelist, creates scenes realistic enough to be believable, yet writes them like a fantasy. Her words curl around each other and she makes you fall in love with every character. Her boys are dreamy and her girls are cautious yet willing to take that leap. You can see the romance skills in her young adult work and it fits perfectly, sending chills up your spine as you wait for them to kiss, the anticipation killing you. She's taken two worlds and turned them into something magical.

Annabel
Author: Lauren Oliver
Published: December 26, 2012
50 pages (ebook)
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Lena Halloway's mother, Annabel, supposedly committed suicide when Lena was only six years old. That's the lie that Lena grew up believing, but the truth is very different. As a rebellious teenager, Annabel ran away from home and straight into the man she knew she was destined to marry. The world was different then—the regulations not as stringent, the cure only a decade old. Fast forward to the present, and Annabel is consigned to a dirty prison cell, where she nurtures her hope of escape and scratches one word over and over into the walls: Love.

But Annabel, like Lena, is a fighter. Through chapters that alternate between her past and present, Annabel reveals the story behind her failed cures, her marriage, the births of her children, her imprisonment, and, ultimately, her daring escape.

The world Oliver has created in Delirium is one of the best dystopian worlds I've seen yet. Love is considered a disease, people get cures for it, and those who escape the cure live wild and free to love. Lena is happy for the cure until she meets Alex and suddenly getting cured of love doesn't make sense to her. Her mother, Annabel, has always been a mystery to her. Having thought all her life that she had committed suicide when Lena was a child, she never expects to find out that she lives, let alone has escaped the cure and is now living in the Wilds. Annabel tells the story of Lena's mom in the same format as Pandemonium. We alternate between the present, her locked in the Crypts daring an escape, and the past, when she was a young uncured girl falling in love. 

Oliver's writing is perfection. I get swept up into her stories and forget about everything around me. I read this in one sitting, craving more. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for Requiem and this novella thrilled me just as much as a full novel of hers does. Her prose is beautiful and she uses her words with love, carving out a word where love is forbidden yet so alive in the eyes of our narrators. The ending of this gave me a lot of hope for the finale and I can't wait to get sucked into that novel as well. Raven, another novella is coming out soon and I have no doubt that will be amazing as well.

Review: Hidden

Hidden
Author: Sophie Jordan
Published: September 11, 2012
272 Pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Jacinda was supposed to bond with Cassian, the "prince" of their pride. But she resisted long before she fell in love with Will—a human and, worse, a hunter. When she ran away with Will, it ended in disaster, with Cassian's sister, Miram, captured. Weighed down by guilt, Jacinda knows she must rescue her to set things right. Yet to do so she will have to venture deep into the heart of enemy territory.

The only way Jacinda can reach Miram is by posing as a prisoner herself, though once she assumes that disguise, things quickly spiral out of her control. As she learns more about her captors, she realizes that even if Will and Cassian can carry out their part of the plan, there's no guarantee they'll all make it out alive. But what Jacinda never could have foreseen is that escaping would be only the beginning...

The thrilling finale to the Firelight series doesn't stop for a second. It picks up right where Vanish left off. Jacinda has escaped the hunters but Miram, Cassian's sister, is still being held captive. Jacinda decides the only way to make things right is to get her out of there and that means getting captured herself. But once in the enemy compound, where she knows her dad has once been, she fears that it may be harder to get out than she first thought.

Life is pretty complicated for Jacinda. Not only is she a draki, a descendant of dragons, but she has been bonded with Cassian even though her heart belongs to Will, the human hunter. She has already made her choice, it is forever Will, but she can't seem to find the strength to let go of her pride and live a normal life with him. Cassian's emotions flow through her like her own and she knows how he feels about her. Her inner dilemma stays on the back burner as she tries to rescue as many draki as possible and get out of the compound alive. 

The action is non-stop. From the first sentence, we'll pulled into the fight. As Jacinda is trying to find her dad and save Miram, she's also trying to figure out where her loyalties lie. Will doesn't let her off easy either. He tests her whenever he can and I think this is an important aspect to his character. I know some people may find him pushy, but he knows she loves him and he's trying to show her that she's more than her pride. She's wanted to escape that place since she was young, but with Cassian in her head and more information about her father being discovered, she can't find the means to do it. It's nice that Will isn't just a pushover love interest that just stands in the background and waits to be kissed. He is a strong character and I admire everything he does for Jacinda. 

Tamra steals the show. She has developed the most over the three books. She tried to fit in with the pride but feared she never could. When they moved to the real world, she fit in perfectly but soon discovered that she was a draki, a very powerful draki, and suddenly she didn't fit in anywhere. When she meets Deaghan, a primal draki, she seems to see new hope for her future. Their love story is quiet, but it's as important as Jacinda and Will's because it seems like Tamra has been through more than any other character has in this series. I'm very glad she got her happy ending. 

Uncreative cover aside, the story held its own and satisfied me as the conclusion to a series that has kept me breathless from the beginning.

“And I realize I’m both my strongest and weakest with him.  And I guess that’s love.  When you’re at your most vulnerable”

Novellas: A Perfect Companion

Novellas have to easily be my favourite extras to a series. They give the author a chance to dive back into their world in a new way. Most of the time the novellas are told from a different viewpoint and it gives us, the readers, the chance to see into the minds of other characters we love. It also makes the year long wait for the next instalment a bit more bearable.

Here are some of my favourite short stories. (All have been read in E book format as that is usually the only way they are available.)

Reaper by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers): Told from Tod's point of view and taking place before the actual series starts, we get the back story that changes everything. This was the turning point for me where my love for Tod became too much to hide.

Hana by Lauren Oliver (Delirium): Who wouldn't want to know what went through Lena's best friend Hana's mind during Delirium? Hana has been excited or the cure, desperate to stop the disease, but she soon discovers how intriguing love can be. Hana's adventures are just as intense as Lena's and we get to see another side to this emotional story.

Summer's Crossing by Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey): As much as I love Ash, Puck's story was so much fun to read. His quirks and puns make him so loveable and it's certainly interesting in this guy's head.

Never To Sleep by Rachel Vincent (Soul Screamers): Okay, I just love everything Rachel Vincent writes and she has made me like evil Sophie. She gets a real taste of what Kaylee goes through on a regular basis and it helps her understand her cousin a little better. There was no way I could hate her after reading her story.







And a few that I can't wait to read:

Breathless by Sophie Jordan (Firelight) A love story about Az, Jacinda's best friend, involving her falling in love with a human? Um, yes please!

Roar And Liv by Veronica Rossi (Under The Never Sky): Back stories are my favourite. You get to learn so much about characters and see them in a whole new light. I can't wait to read the love story between two of the minor characters in Under The Never Sky.

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi (Shatter Me): Even though I'm not a huge fan of Warner, I'm still curious to hear his story.

The Legacies by Pittacus Lore (Lorien Legacies): Though I still haven't picked up The Rise Of Nine, I'm still very interested in this series and would love to read about the other legacies.

The List Gets Longer

So I picked up some new books this weekend. I've been looking forward to two of them for awhile now, and have only just discovered the others. All four are getting priority over the ones I already own (I know, my list is never going to go down if I just keep buying new books) Anyway, here are my next To-Reads:

Hidden (Firelight #3)
Sophie Jordan

Firelight is one of my favourite series and I've been waiting for the final instalment for a year. I finally picked it up (couldn't find it in any store) so this is getting read asap!

In Honor
Jessi Kirby

I read the Goodreads description for this book so long ago and I finally found it in a store. It looks like it will be heartbreaking and beautiful and I can't wait to find out. I'm a huge fan of road trip stories, so I have a feeling I'll like this a lot.

Saving June
Hannah Harrington

After reading Speechless, I knew I had to read Harrington's debut novel. The premise sounds haunting and once again it's a road trip story, so that adds to the beauty of the novel. Both this and In Honor deal with death, so I know I may not be able to read them right after one another, but we'll see. I hope they are both as powerful as I think they will be.

Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson

Now, I've read a lot of reviews for Speechless and most every one of them compares it to this book. So I think I need to read this one. It came first, it deals with bullying and mean girls, and I've enjoyed every other book I've read with this concept. One of my favourite authors, Courtney Summers, writes amazing books about bullying and mean girls, so I want to see what else is out there dealing with those issues.






There's no doubt this list will be longer before I even finish these four books, but I just wanted to give you a taste of what I'm reading now. Has anyone read any of these? Thoughts and opinions are always welcome!