Saturday, 16 May 2015

Book Review - A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas


A Court of Thorns and Roses
By: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Publication Date: 5th May 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Page Count: 416 (paperback)
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young New Adult
Source: Bought

Rating: 5.5 (Um. Meh)


The breathtaking start to a seductive high-fantasy from New York Times bestselling author of Throne of Glass series. 

Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price. 

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

~This review may consist of spoilers~

I haven't reviewed for like 4 months because of how hectic this year was but I couldn't not review this book. Honest this book was more of a letdown for me and it was far from my expectations but Sarah J. Maas so ehhh.


Characters

My current favorite characters are actually Rhysland and Lucien. Rhysland was a love that I only found at the end of the book. I found that his character development was actually the best and I fell in love with his vulnerable sides. Lucien for me was a love at first sight situation. On the whole I felt that they were the ones with the best development (even as side characters). The main characters for me was a lil bit of a letdown because I just couldn't get attached to them.


Relationships

Romantic Relationships

I didn't like the main ship aka TamlinxFeyre at first. I felt that the connection and chemistry was there but it wasn't developed enough. At the end I felt that Feyre became a character that relied far too much on Tamlin and her love for him and I didn't like that because I personally like strong female characters and at the end she sort of became just Tamlin's lover. sigh.



Family Relationships

On the other hand, I really enjoyed the relationship between Nesta and Feyre. I found their relationship very real and the love they had for each other was portrayed in a very unique way with that love-hate extreme relationship. It was one of my favorite parts of the story :)

Writing


As usual, I have no complains about Sarah J. Maas' style of writing. I love the way she writes (always have, always will) though this time I think because she had to incorporate so much into one book she made the book flow far too fast. However, her attention to detail and the flow of her writing was still the best of the best.


Plot

I was originally very excited by the book and the premise of it but as I read it I found it very cliché-ish and it became a bit of a letdown for me sighs. I expected as much adventure and headstrong will as in the Throne of Glass series but there just wasn't enough. At the same time, it felt like the pace was too fast so I am very conflicted with my feelings regarding this book.


Final Verdict:

I like this book but I also don't, which makes me very confused. Sarah J. Maas is one of my favorite fantasy writers so I will always read her books. However, this book just didn't feel up to standard probably because of the number of aspects she tried to add in and that's why it felt like a bit of a letdown. I did have the parts that I enjoyed but on the whole it was a book that I just felt ehhhh about. 

*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.

Friday, 9 January 2015

Blog Tour (Book Review) - Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols (Hosted by IFB Tours)



Perfect Couple
By: Jennifer Echols
Series: Superlatives #2
Publication Date: 13th January 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Page Count: 336 (paperback)
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: Review Copy from IFB Tours
Buy: Amazon

Rating: 7.5 - 8 (great - excellent)

In this second book in The Superlatives trilogy from Endless Summer author Jennifer Echols, Harper and Brody think they're an unlikely match but the senior class says they belong together.

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents' bitter divorce left her wondering what a loving relationship looks like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody "Perfect Couple That Never Was" her friends have been pushing her to ask Brody out.


Brody doesn't lack female admirers, but Harper can't see herself with him. He's confused about the match too. Yet they find themselves drawn together first by curiosity about why the class paired them, then by an undeniable bond.


The trouble is, though they're attracted to each other, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating well. If they're the perfect couple, this shouldn't be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But they feel so changed from making the effort, they can't forget each other. What if this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?


I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All quotes were taken from the ARC and may be subject to change.
Firstly I would like to thank Simon Pulse, Shane @ Itching for Books Tours and Jennifer Echols for allowing me to read the book early and for letting me be part of this amazing tour! I literally jumped for joy when I saw the email!

Fun, Flirtatious, Fabulous. The only three words I need to describe this book. Literally.

But oh well let's just write the full review. Haha! Anyways, I REALLY loved Biggest Flirts so much and I was super excited for Perfect Couple! Boy, was I not disappointed! 

I gave Perfect Couple a 7.5 - 8 rating because of how much I loved it. If you've followed this blog for a while, you would know how I hardly give high ratings because I am very particular about books. Giving an 8 rating for a contemporary was practically unheard of!

From the start I had superbly high expectations for this book and I am so ecstatic that my expectations were met. In my opinion, the relationship between Harper and Brody was  perfect because it was awkward and unstable and funny and imperfect just like what a real life romance was. I mean, they got together because of a freaking vote for goodness sake! What's more BOTH of them had bfs/gfs already! AND THEY WERE LITERAL OPPOSITES! 

What's more Echols being an experienced and knowing author gave the story the right amount of romance build up and made it all so flirtatious and fun to read! 

The only thing I was unsure of was that the book was honestly just a tad too fast-paced for me. I think this was the only reason I hesitated between 7.5 and 8. I understood that for a contemporary novel this would always be the case but I did feel that things zoomed past a little too fast. 

However, asides from being a pretty short read, for a contemporary romance, I think that this had just the right amount of romance for a day when you just want to kick back and read a hell of a relatable romance. I do think that perhaps some scenes would be more suited for older readers though!

Also, I was super happy that Jennifer included old characters such as Will and Tia and we got to see them be so cute together! BTW, Sawyer is my bae and I claim DIPS! I can't wait to see more of Sawyer in Most Likely to Succeed! <3

Perfect Couple is filled with so much love and joy and laughter that you will just keep wanting more after you've put it down! It will keep you thinking about Harper and Brody for days to come and hope for Sawyer and Kaye's romance to come sooner! This book WILL NOT disappoint! 

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a young-adult romance with fun, sass, a kick-ass female and a hell of a hottie. The book comes out on the 13th of January 2015 and if you do not pick this book up, you will utterly regret it! Go read it and find out more about the unforgettable love that is Harper and Brody's! <3
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Favorite Quotes

Hey guys! These are some of my favorite quotes for the book!!!! Honestly I loved every line but... 

1. 
     "You look hot, Harper." Will said.
      Tia told him, "There's Thanks for being nice to my friends,' and then there's 'You can stop being nice to my friends now."

2.

      "You're an artistic," [Brody] said. "It seems like you could just paint the world the way you wanted it, and then you wouldn't have to worry about catching it just right."
      "The world is beautiful exactly like it is," I said. "You just have to know how to frame it, and bring it into focus."

3.
      "All in favor?" I asked. "Aye -- and my opinion is the only one that counts. I am on deadline with this shit."

4. 

      Sawyer rolled his eyes. "If you want to know what people are saying about you, they're saying you're hot."
      "Really?" I asked skeptically.
      "Yes."
      "I felt like I needed to wear glasses so my face would have something in it. It just looks kind of blank to me, not pretty."
      "We all have issues," Sawyer said, almost unkindly.
      I nodded.
      "But that is the most fucked-up thing I've ever heard. You thought you weren't pretty, so you wore glasses? That's pathological."

5.
      "And Tia," Kaye said.
      Of course. The free spirit. The sexy chick who didn't give a damn what anybody thought. My complete opposite. The girl Brody had a crush on in middle school.


That's it from me! Now to end off, here's a little teaser ;)

Perfect Couple banner

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About the Author:

Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.

*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.

Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Waiting on Wednesday #26 - The Wicked WIll Rise by Danielle Paige


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted on Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:




The Wicked Will Rise
Dorothy Must Die #2


Author: Danielle Paige


Publication Date: 30th March 2015

Publisher: HarperCollins

Page Count: 432 Pages
(Hardcover)





Summary from Goodreads: 

In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestsellingDorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked?

My Thoughts regarding this book:
I absolutely loved Dorothy Must Die! I gave it a 4 star rating back when I used the old rating system. You can view that review here for all the reasons that I loved the first book and thus why I absolutely need this books like NOW! :)

--- Do comment down below and let me know of your WoW! ---

Wednesday, 31 December 2014

2014 Wrap-Up


Hey everyone! Today is the 31st of December, the last day of 2014! This post will be the last post I will post as of this year! I am so very surprised and delighted that I was able to continue this blog for such a long time. I have to admit that at a few points in time, as I felt that my blog wasn't reaching greater heights and I could spend the time blogging to do other things, I had wanted to give up. However, I have since decided not to and will be continuing this blog into the New Year of 2015 and onwards! Here, I present to you a wrap-up of everything I have done this year! 
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Total Books Read in 2014= 63


Here is the list of books that I've read this year:






Number of Book Reviews as of 2014= 31


By Alphabetical Order:


a

Avery (Blog Tour) - Charlotte McConaghy

b

Bang In The Middle - Robert Shore
Brunette Ambition - Lea Michelle

c

City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare
City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare 
Cress - Marissa Meyer

d

Dorothy Must Die - Danielle Paige

i

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
Isla and the Happily Ever After - Stephanie Perkins
I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella 

k

Keeping Her - Coma Carmack

l

Love, Rosie - Cecelia Ahern

m

p

Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods - Rick Riordan

r

Ruin and Rising - Leigh Bardugo

s

Scare Crow - Julie Hockley 
Shadow and Bone - Leigh Bardugo

The Bravest Princess - E. D. Baker 
The Covenant Series - Jennifer Armentrout
The Darkest Minds - Alexandra Bracken 
The Fault In Our Stars - John Green 
The Geography of You and Me - Jennifer E. Smith  
The House of Hades - Rick Riordan 
The Queen of the Tearling - Erika Johansen
The Unofficial Girls Guide to New York - Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin
The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski

w

We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
What I Thought Was True/Sneak Peak Review - Huntley Fitzpatrick, Huntley
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Acknowledgements

For this end year thank you message, I would first like to thank every single book blogger out there - you guys gave me the courage to start this blog and start posting my various views about books! 

Next, thank you to all the book tours who have given me opportunities to participate in their book events and learn more about how books are publicized

Thank you to the different authors and publishers who work so hard to publish books and for constantly treating us book bloggers greatly and giving us ARCs to read and love!

Finally, thank you to everyone who has ever read a post on my blog! Thank you so much guys!


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Tuesday, 30 December 2014

Waiting on Wednesday #25 - The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski


"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted on Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection by me is:






The Winner's Crime


Author: Marie Rutkoski


Publication Date: 3rd March 2015

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Page Count: 416 Pages
(Hardcover)





Summary from Goodreads: 

Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

My Thoughts regarding this book:
This one is another one of my most anticipated books of 2015. I really really adored The Winner's Curse because of its concept and everything that I even wrote a full review about it. The link to that review is here. I loved it so much that I gave it a 4 out of 5 stars, back when I was using that system. :D Can't wait to 


--- Do comment down below and let me know of your WoW! ---

Sunday, 28 December 2014

Book Blast - Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly


Angel Burn
By: L.A. Weatherly
Series: Angel #1
Publication Date: 27th December 2011 (paperback), 24th May 2011 (hardback)
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Page Count: 464 (paperback), 449 (hardback)
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal Angels

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

They're out for your soul.
And they don't have heaven in mind...

Willow knows she's different from other girls, and not just because she loves tinkering with cars. Willow has a gift. She can look into the future and know people's dreams and hopes, their sorrows and regrets, just by touching them. She has no idea where this power comes from. 


But the assassin, Alex, does. Gorgeous, mysterious Alex knows more about Willow than Willow herself does. He knows that her powers link to dark and dangerous forces and that he's one of the few humans left who can fight them. When Alex finds himself falling in love with his sworn enemy, he discovers that nothing is as it seems; least of all good and evil.

Book Trailer




About the Author


Lee Weatherly was born in 1967 and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. She lives with her husband in Hampshire, England, where she writes, goes on walks, tries out new recipes and has a cat named Bernard.


L.A. Weatherly is the pseudonym for Lee Weatherly. You can follow her on Twitter at @LA_Weatherly

Links: Website 
| Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook


Giveaway



6 Winners will receive a copy of Angel Burn by L.A. Weatherly
INT | Must be 13+ to enter


Saturday, 27 December 2014

Top 10 Wrap Up - 2014 Edition


Hey everyone! 

Today I'm putting up my wrap-up for my top 10 series! So far the posts in this series include":

Thank you for joining me in this Top 10 2014 Edition thing! Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

Friday, 26 December 2014

Top 10 Series/Books - 2014 Edition


Hey everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today I'll be talking about my final post for this year, the theme is 'Top 10 Series/Books"! This list includes the top 10 series/books that I enjoy reading - basically my favorite books. This list is in no particular order.

The other posts in the Top-10 list for 2014 so far include:


Tomorrow I will be posting a wrap-up of all my top 10 posts for 2014 so please do out for that too! :)
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Without further ado, I present my top series/books! This list is in no particular order.

1. The Mortal Instruments series

Author: Cassandra Clare

Thoughts: I love the Shadowhunter Chronicles. I love them now and I'll love them forever. I know many people think Cassie shouldn't continue the world of the shadowhunters but I love the idea because I don't think I could have put their world down. I would be devastated if that was the end of her shadowhunter books.

2. The Throne of Glass series

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Thoughts: If you have never read the ToG series, go and read it now! Sarah J. Maas is perfection and her stories are perfection too!

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

Author: Rick Riordan

Thoughts: Percy Jackson taught me to love reading. I will always love the series because of Percy and I will always love him.

4. Mara Dyer trilogy

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Thoughts: I haven't read the last book yet but I have loved the first 2 so far and the writing is so sophisticated and the story so beautiful and I love it so much.

5. The Hollow trilogy

Author: Jessica Verday

Thoughts: This is not a very famous series but I love it! The plot, the writing, the characters and just everything! I haven't read anything else by Jessica but I will always love this series!

6. I'll Give You the Sun

Author: Jandy Nelson

Thoughts: I just read this this year and I love it so much. It's my favorite stand-alone of all time and just its so sweet and angsty and just go read it please.

7. Maximum Ride series

Author: James Patterson

Thoughts: The ending was disappointing but I still really loved all that HAS happened. Max was the first female YA main character that I loved and I really adore her for being strong for herself and her family and for making this series such a great one.

8. Anna and the French Kiss series

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Thoughts: I feel that the Anna and the French Kiss series are the very best contemporary romances out there! This was probably the first contemp YA book that I read and truly loved and it will always remain in my heart even though it has officially ended.

9. Lunar Chronicles series

Author: Marissa Meyer

Thoughts: It just keeps getting better and better! Sci-fi YA Fairytale twist stories. 

10. Harry Potter series

Author: J K Rowling

Thoughts: Finally, the series who will always remain in my heart fondly and forever.
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Alright that's it from me this season! Merry Christmas everyone! I'm so happy that I ended this with this top 10! I'm so gonna do this next year!


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*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.

Thursday, 25 December 2014

Top 10 Authors - 2014 Edition (Day 9)


Hey everyone! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today I'll be talking about my 9th post in the series. In this edition, the theme is 'Top 10 Authors"! This list includes the different authors whose books I particularly like reading. This list is in no particular order.

The other posts in the Top-10 list for 2014 so far include:


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Without further ado, I present my top favorite authors! This list is in no particular order.

Note: The author bio comes from either goodreads or the authors website itself.


1. Cassandra Clare

Author Bio: Cassandra Clare was born overseas and spent her early years traveling around the world with her family and several trunks of fantasy books. Cassandra worked for several years as an entertainment journalist for the Hollywood Reporter before turning her attention to fiction. She is the author of City of Bones, the first book in the Mortal Instruments trilogy and a New York Times bestseller. Cassandra lives with her husband and their two cats in Massachusetts.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr

Thoughts: I will always love Cassie Clare and her Shadowhunter series - especially since her writing got so much better now! 

2. Charlotte McConaghy

Author Bio: Charlotte started writing when she was 14 in her home town Armidale. She now has six books published and lives in Sydney. She loves to read and write sci-fi/romance/fantasy. She has just released 'Fury', a dystopian sci-fi novel published by Momentum, and 'Thorne', the second book in her romantic fantasy series 'The Chronicles of Kaya', published by Random House.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter

Thoughts: Even though Charlotte isn't necessarily a very well-known author, I have always really admired her sophistication in writing and the high-fantasy worlds and plotlines she spins up!

3. Sarah J. Maas


Author Bio: Sarah J. Maas is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Throne of Glass series. Heir of Fire, the third book in the series, will be out in September 2014.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | 

Thoughts: Sarah J. Maas is one of the most perfect writers ever! Her writing is beautiful and she brings in the most wonderful elements into her novels! I love how her stories include faeries and assassins and royalty and just look under my "Top 10 Genres" and you will realize that these are some of my favorite things ever!



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I know that I promised my top 10 authors but honestly I don't really have many authors I would consider my absolute favorites. The above 3 are the ones that I would buy every single book they publish and love every single one of them as I have with all their previous books. These few are those who come super close to being one my top too but I'm still testing their books out ya know. This list is also in no particular order.

4. Stephanie Perkins


Author Bio: Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | Blog 

Thoughts: I love Stephanie's writing because of all the fluffy details in the book and just everything! However, as I didn't like Isla as much as I hoped I would, I am including her here for the time being.

5. Michelle Hodkin


Author Bio: At the age of sixteen, Michelle Hodkin lost the rights to her soul in a poker game with pirates just south of Natchez. Shortly thereafter, she joined an acting troupe and traveled the world performing feats of wonder and mischief. She has been seen on stages nationwide and earned rave reviews for her one woman performance of Titus Andronicus before writing the New York Times bestselling Mara Dyer Trilogy. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer and its sequel, The Evolution of Mara Dyer are available now, and the third book in the trilogy, The Retribution of Mara Dyer, hits shelves on November 4th, 2014. Michelle lives with her three rescued pets and may or may not be a reliable narrator of her own life.

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Tumblr | Pinterest

Thoughts: Mara Freaking Dyer. Nuff said.


6. Jandy Nelson

Author Bio: Jandy Nelson received a BA from Cornell, an MFA from Brown in poetry, and another MFA from Vermont College in writing for children and young adults. A literary agent for many years, she is also a published poet. The Sky Is Everywhere is her first novel. Jandy lives in San Francisco.

Links:  Website | Goodreads | Twitter 

Thoughts: I'll admit that I've only ever read one book by her AKA "I'll Give You the Sun", which is also my favorite book of 2014. Because of how struck and affected I was with that book, Jandy Nelson immediately rose to become one of my all time favorite authors.

7. Rick Riordan

Author Bio:

Links: Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Blog

Thoughts: I will admit it first hand that I did not enjoy Rick's Kane Chronicles at all. However, I've always loved his Percy Jackson series and his Heroes of Olympus series. As such, I still consider him a personal favorite of mine.

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Finally, her who will always remain in my heart fondly and forever.

8. J. K. Rowling

Author Bio: Biography

Thoughts: I love the Harry Potter series. They were my child hood and I will forever love Rowling's writing. I just haven't read the rest of her books to put her down as my favorite of the favorites but she is one of them still.
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Alright that's it from me. I honestly did try to think of more authors that I could add to this list but I could come up with no more! I honestly read a lot from many authors but none have struck me as much as these authors do. 

Finally, do look out for my FINAL Top 10 post tomorrow! The theme will be 'Top 10 Books/Series'! I cannot believe that we have come so far with this series!

If you are interested, please still do join me in creating this top 10 2014 end year series comment down below the link to your top 10! I would be most glad and excited to look at it :)


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*All pictures and graphics do not belong to me. I take no credit for any of it.
** All opinions are mine and are in no way influenced by anyone or anything.