Loot Crate | Dream Crate: It feels like fantasy to me!

Hello my lovely readers! I was challenged by Loot Crate, a monthly geek subscription box to put together a Dream Crate. This means that I had to put all my neurons to work and come up with an original crate with things I would love to receive. They are also challenging all their fans to do the same so if you want to you can put your own Dream Crate together.
Firstly, I had to think of a good theme so I (not surprisingly) chose: It feels like fantasy to me. I tried to put something together that would appeal to both tv and book fans.

  • Game of Thrones Funko Pop
If there is a thing that both book lovers and tv addicts would love is a Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire) Funko. At least I've been dreaming of getting one for years.
  • A Shakespearean Insult Mug
Hot beverages combine perfectly with our favorite movie, series or book and have it covered in Sakespearen insults only makes it better. You could simply wave the mug on the direction of the person(s) bothering you.
  • A "Throne of Glass" (by Sarah J. Maas) Coloring Book

Resultado de imagem para throne of glass coloring book
Painting, coloring and drawing are things that hel us relax! What better to do that than a coloring book of our favorite stories. Also this could prep all of those who don't know this series since it's being adapted to a tv show (screams of joy).

  • A Court of Terrasen tote bag
Terrasen Tote Bag
The "Throne of Glass" vibes continue but jut look at how pretty and utilitarian this tote bag is! We all want to be queens/kings of something.

I hope you liked this post and that it has inspired you to come up with your own Dream Crate! If you want to know more details about this amazing company you can check their site at:

Loot Crate, the monthly geek subscription box, is looking for fans to get creative share what they would do if they were able to box up their own Dream Crate.
 

Book Blitz | Excerpt | Giveaway: Light in My Dark by Jean Gilbert & William Dresden








Light in My Dark
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: October 21st 2016
Rogue House Publishing

Summary from Goodreads:
Two boys love her. Two worlds need her. Only she can save them both.Sixteen-year-old Harper Deveraux has longed for an adventure ever since her mother died of cancer four years ago. Much to her dismay, she is stuck in Glen Eden, a small mountain town in upstate New York that does little to fuel her hopes and dreams.Another year of high school has begun, and with the Moon Dance only a few weeks away, Harper suddenly finds herself torn between the affections of two boys: her best friend Jack, and a new boy from the City named Knes who might not be from this world.Strange things begin to happen in Glen Eden when Harper uncovers a mystery that involved her mother and a realm shrouded in darkness that lies beyond the wall... A realm that Knes intends to take her to. Only Jack stands in his way.Light In My Dark, is an action-packed modern YA fantasy, filled with dark forces, love, and self-discovery.


On sale for $1.99 for a limited time!


Buy Links:




EXCERPT: 

The heat under Harper's sweater disappeared the longer she stared at the house. Goose bumps tickled her flesh. She wrapped her arms around her body, but the chill remained. Even so, her eyes refused to look away from the house.
     "Well," she said," in the real world it is said that she fell through the floor in a part of the house that was still under construction at the time. No mystery there. Just an accident."
     Jack raised an eyebrow at her. "In the middle of the night? Who goes walking around a construction site in the middle of the night? That's just stupid. What gets me is that's what all the tourists come to see, not the lake or the mountains or anything else that Glen Eden has to offer. Give the house a ghost, and they come running."
     "Maybe it deserves a ghost. At least then it would be lived in."
     Neither one said anything for a moment as they stared at the mansion.
     Finally, Jack spoke again. "There must be over a hundred rooms in there. It'd take days to explore them all."
     "It'd be an adventure."
     "You'd like that, wouldn't you?"


About the Authors


William Dresden is an author and award-winning screenwriting. He spent several years as a script doctor and pursued the dream of writing hollywood blockbusters. Now he mostly writes fiction and enjoys spending time with his family and friends. William currently lives in Virginia with his wife and two children.


Author Links: 


Jean Gilbert is an award winning speculative fiction writer from New Zealand. She is a Core member of SpecFicNZ, and is also the coordinator for SpecFicNZ Central. Jean's novels include the Vault Agency Series: Shifters, Ardus, and The Vault. You can find her short stories Blonde Obsession in Baby Teeth: Bite Size Tales of Terror, and Pride in the Contact Light Anthology. 

Author Links:



Publisher Links:

GIVEAWAY:

Opinion: Last Minute Christmas Gifts for Book Lovers

So you have been putting off going out and buying the tones of christmas gifts we all spend so much money on every year... I'm sure you're not the only one and I'm here to help (as much as I can) with the gifts for the bookish people in your life.
Before I give any tips I just want to remind you that the presentes are not the most important thing during Christmas time. What is really important is to be with your loved ones and enjoy all the happiness and bliss that you can. If don not have money to buy gifts for your loved ones I'm sure that they will understand, do not feel bad or guilty about it!

note: to go to the site click on the pictures!

  • Most readers love to drink something warm while reading, or studying or even working! These mugas are just an example of how a very common object of our day to day lives can be transformed into a statement piece!

Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland Quotation Mug
Lewis Carrol Mug - 10.95£ / 13.62$ / 13.05


Book Lover Mug
Book Lover Mug - 9.99£ / 12.42$ / 11.90


  • I don't know about all the readers all over the world bu mainly for female readers fandom jewelry is the bomb! It's a subtle way to make tastes know or just to feel connected to something they love.
Rhys' Ring
Rhys's Ring - 49.84£  / 62 $ / 59.45 


Beta Quartz Pendant
Beta Quartz Necklace (Lux Series) - 24.12£ / 30 $ / 28.76


  • A reading light is something handy for your loved one that lives in a dorm or shares a room! This is a very good way for them to be able to read without waking up their roomate! (Believe me... I need this)
Led Clip Reading Light - 13.66£ / 16,99$ / 16.29



  • As a reader, my kindle is my treasure, I couldn't read half the books I read without it. This is the perfect way for readers to protect their beloved reading devices and if they don't have a kindle there are also kobo and nook (and other) covers.

Fintie SmartShell Case for Kindle Paperwhite - 15.27£ / 18,99$ /  18.21


  • A Reader's Journal is a perfect way to keep track of all the books a person reads! It's just like a mini notebook that is ready for all your comments and annotations!
'
Well-Read Women: A Reader's Journal -$12,69

  • This is the solution for someone whose books keep not getting returned! Gift this to your innocent and poor friend who keeps borrowing his/her books and almost no one returns them!
Knock Knock Personal Library Kit - $18,50

  • And if your friend has more ideas than space to write them down a cute note book is also a very good gift!
Shadow Tapestry Journal - $3.99

Thank you for reading this post!
Merry Christmas

Love, Ana
Imagem relacionada









The Reader Diaries #8 : Exhausted University Student Syndrome



Hello, my beautiful readers!
Today I come to you while suffering from something that I have been noticing is a general condition of university students all around the world: exhaustion! The crazy amount of work and study that you're expected to do in such a short time is mostly unrealistic. Still, I find myself struggling to keep it together and going trough the rest of the semester.
Coming from a mostly scientific background in high school I never expected to have so much literature to study and review or to have 6 hours of classes without any time off. While it's not easy I'm starting to enjoy myself as I start to find my place in the world and make friends.
Coming to university was a big change for me, I started living alone (with three friends) in a different and new city (Lisbon). Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and as a result of that, it is a very big and metropolitan city, which I'm not used to, coming from a more rural background.
I'm happy that even if lately I don't have much time to read I still find some time to do it and I even found some time to go to the "Baixa" and see the Christmas lights which turned me into an 18-year-old complete child. This is the last week of school and I have and Italian test tomorrow, so I should be studying and not writing but I really don not like not being able to produce as much content for you as I used to.
I've been updating the blog and I'm planning a new set of posts ( that I should be starting to post next week) such as a University Book Haul and a Christmas Book Haul. In my plans, there is also a readathon that should be called "Ana Reads a Thousand Books So She's Able to Post Good Things on Her Blog (a.k.a. Baby)" since I have at least 30 books destined to be reviewed on this blog. This way I must be able to post more regularly during exam time (January and June) and the rest of the semester. At least I hope so.
After this lengthy post, I'm going to study Italian irregular verbs and leave you with some photos I took when I went for a walk in Lisbon last week (during the holiday).



Love, Ana

Previously on "The Reader Diaries":

Review: The Hands of Time (Elementals #5) by Michelle Madow







Author: Michelle Madow
30046401Publisher:  Dreamscape Publishing
Publication Date: November 25th 2016 
Source: ebook (given by the author)
Rate:



Summary:

Months ago, Nicole Cassidy’s life was turned upside-down when she discovered that she was a witch descended from the Greek gods. She and the four other witches gifted with elemental powers fought all over the world—and in another dimension—to battle the supporters of the Titans and fight for the people they love.
Now the Elementals must stop Typhon—the most dangerous monster in the world—from rising, and seal the portal to the dangerous prison world of Kerberos. But they won’t be able to do that without facing their hardest decision yet… a sacrifice so great that it may be one they’re not willing to make.
Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads | B&N

Book Blitz | Giveaway: Shadow Fall (Shadow Fall #1) by Audrey Grey


Shadow Fall
Audrey Grey
(Shadow Fall, #1)
Published by: Blaze Publishing
Publication date: November 22nd 2016
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
The asteroid hurtling toward the earth will kill billions.
The Emperor and his Gold Court will be safe in their space station, watching from the stars. The Silvers will be protected underground. But the Bronzes must fight it out at the Shadow Trials for the few remaining spots left on the space station.
When an enigmatic benefactor hands Maia Graystone a spot in the Trials, she won’t just get a chance at salvation for her and her baby brother, Max: She gets to confront the mother who abandoned her in prison, the mad Emperor who murdered her father, and the Gold prince who once loved her. But it’s the dark bastard prince she’s partnered with that will make her question everything, including her own heart. With the asteroid racing closer every day, Maia must trust someone to survive.
The question is who?
You can get your copy now for the special release price of 99 cents, and be sure to meet us at the Facebook Party happening right now!
EXCERPT:
My legs wobble as I step into the now lukewarm water. I sink to the bottom. Tiny bubbles escape my nose as I watch all the ugly remnants from the last seven years leave my body.
Lungs burning, I rise and come face-to-face with Pit Boy.
I glare at him. “You really have to work on the knocking thing.”
Despite the fact that I’m indecent, his attention never falls from my face. I almost wish it would, just to give me a break from the intensity of his focus.
“I only get a few more hours to be the ‘one-eyed freak’ from the pit. Might as well take advantage.” He doesn’t dare crack a smile, so it’s hard to tell if he’s joking or serious.
“Don’t worry. In my heart, that’s exactly who you’ll always be.”
His words remind me that soon we’ll be reconstructed using forbidden nanotech. But it won’t just be our flesh they’ll reengineer. It will be our brains, too.
I don’t foresee my rewiring being too complicated, but Riser needs to upload almost twenty years of false memories. That will be tricky and time-consuming.
And time is the one thing we don’t have.
Riser flicks his gaze to the mirror. He lifts a hand, touches the patch of mottled flesh where his eye should be.
“How did it happen?” I ask.
“Careful, my lady.” His gaze settles on my face. “You’re beginning to sound like you care.”
I roll my eyes. “And I thought I was lacking in conversational skills.”
He focuses his attention on the graffiti sprayed across the mirror.
“It’s written language,” I blurt, even though all I want to do is end the conversation so Pit Boy can leave. His presence unnerves me more than the other Pit Leeches ever could. “It’s how we communicate.”
“I know what it is.” He examines his jagged thumbnail. “I just . . . can’t read it.”
“It’s just stuff about the Chosen. You know, insults.” The populace is finicky. As much as they love watching the Chosen with their petty intrigues and court life, they would be just as happy to see their heads on a pike.
“Chosen?”
Time to explain what you are, Everly, Nicolai’s voice grates inside my head. Riser’s eyes flutter just enough that I know he’s heard Nicolai’s voice too.
You do it, I think, watching Riser’s reaction. But his face remains emotionless; either he’s a good actor or only Nicolai can hear my response.
“The Royalist astronomers discovered the asteroid twenty-one years ago,” I begin. “It’s actually a slow moving planet called an earth-crosser, meaning its orbit and ours intersect every twenty-thousand years. Usually it’s too far away to affect us, but this time it will pass close enough to wreak havoc and make the earth uninhabitable for years.” I stir the water with my big toe. “Before I was born, the Emperor decided that creating a population of genetically superior humans would be a great idea, you know, just in case the Caskets don’t work or the asteroid does more damage than predicted.”
Riser’s hyper-focused gaze bores through me. “You’re one of them?”
“Yes.” I run my hand through the filthy water. “But my father’s a Bronze, so even though my mother comes from a Gold House, the Emperor only allowed them one Chosen instead of the customary twins. So it’s just me . . . not Max.”
“What makes being Chosen so special?”
“I don’t know . . .” I bite my lip, trying to remember everything my parents told me. “My genes are perfect, I guess.”
For some reason, talking about my body makes me remember that I am naked in a room with a boy. As if reading my mind, Riser slowly lets his gaze fall, his expression both curious and unapologetic as he takes me all in, his thoughts cryptic.
“What are you staring at?” I blurt, smashing my breasts beneath my hands. Not like there’s much there to cover. “Haven’t you seen a naked girl before?”
A smile twitches his lips. “Not one that’s genetically flawless.
“It doesn’t work that way! You can’t just look at us and tell. We look like everyone else—”
“No.” Riser shakes his head, a dark swath of hair covering his damaged eye. “You don’t. Whatever you are.”
“You must be happy . . . about our reconstruction, I mean,” I mumble, trying desperately to change the subject. “They’ll fix your eye . . . and . . . and all those horrible scars.”
I freeze as he slides off the counter, unable to look away as he hooks one finger beneath his shirt and lifts.
Scars ravage his anemic body in varying shades of red and silver and white. Some deep and pitted like the craters of a far-away planet, others smooth and neat. One particular nasty scar carves down his shoulder, tunneling across his chest and stomach. A fresh red wound nestles just below his throat.
He carefully touches the long ugly one. “I’m not ashamed for surviving.”


Author Bio:
Audrey Grey lives in the charming state of Oklahoma, with her husband, two little people, and four mischievous dogs. You can usually find her hiding out in her office from said little people and dogs, surrounded by books and sipping kombucha while dreaming up wondrous worlds for her characters to live in.

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My Kindle Shelves #3


Shadows of Yesterday (Ravenhurst #2) by Lorraine Beaumont
18952846
Ravenhurst, a once forgotten legend, locked somewhere within the gloomy confines of this ancient edifice is the key that will unlock the door of time itself.
Katherine and Sebastian are thrown together by forces unknown, and are unwitting participants in a legend as old as King Arthur’s Realm. As these two very different, but very real people succumb to their hidden desires, they find in each other what no one else can give them, an everlasting love which time cannot forget. Marguerite is sent to King Arthur's Realm...



The King's Curse by Philippa Gregory
Resultado de imagem para the king's curse

Regarded as yet another threat to the volatile King Henry VII’s claim to the throne, Margaret Pole, cousin to Elizabeth of York (known as the White Princess) and daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, is married off to a steady and kind Lancaster supporter—Sir Richard Pole. For his loyalty, Sir Richard is entrusted with the governorship of Wales, but Margaret’s contented daily life is changed forever with the arrival of Arthur, the young Prince of Wales, and his beautiful bride, Katherine of Aragon. Margaret soon becomes a trusted advisor and friend to the honeymooning couple, hiding her own royal connections in service to the Tudors.
After the sudden death of Prince Arthur, Katherine leaves for London a widow, and fulfills her deathbed promise to her husband by marrying his brother, Henry VIII. Margaret’s world is turned upside down by the surprising summons to court, where she becomes the chief lady-in-waiting to Queen Katherine. But this charmed life of the wealthiest and “holiest” woman in England lasts only until the rise of Anne Boleyn, and the dramatic deterioration of the Tudor court. Margaret has to choose whether her allegiance is to the increasingly tyrannical king, or to her beloved queen; to the religion she loves or the theology which serves the new masters. Caught between the old world and the new, Margaret Pole has to find her own way as she carries the knowledge of an old curse on all the Tudors.
The Crown in the Heather (The Bruce Trilogy #1) by N. Gemini Sasson 
8437632
In 1290, Scotland is without a king. Two families-the Bruces and the Balliols-vie for the throne.
Robert the Bruce is in love with Elizabeth de Burgh, the daughter of an adherent of the ruthless Longshanks, King of England. In order to marry her and not give up his chances of someday becoming King of Scots, Robert must abandon his rebel ways and bide his time as Longshanks' vassal.
But Edward, Longshanks' heir, doesn't trust the opportunistic Scotsman and vows to one day destroy him. While quietly plotting his rebellion, Robert is betrayed by one of his own and must flee Longshanks' vengeance.
Aided by the unlikely brilliance of the soft-spoken young nobleman, James Douglas, Robert battles for his throne. Victory, though, is never certain and Robert soon learns that keeping his crown may mean giving up that which he loves most-his beloved Elizabeth.

Emerald Bound by Teresa Richards
27133441
A princess, a pea, and a tower of mattresses. This is the sliver that survives of a story more nightmare than fairytale... Maggie Rhodes, high school junior and semi-reformed stalker, learns the tale's true roots after a spying attempt goes awry and her best friend Kate ends up as the victim of an ancient curse. At the center of the curse lies an enchanted emerald that has been residing quietly in a museum for the past fifty years. Admirers of the gem have no idea that it feeds on life. Or that it's found its next victim in Kate. Enter Lindy, a school acquaintance who knows more than she's letting on, and Garon, a handsome stranger claiming he knows how to help, and Maggie is left wondering who to trust and how to save her best friend before it's too late. If only Maggie knew her connection to the fairy tale was rooted far deeper than an endangered best friend. 

Unclaimed (Unclaimed #1) by Laurie Wetzel
22880946


Abandoned by her birth parents and ignored by her adoptive family, Maddy Page believes she is unlovable. She only allows herself to dream of falling in love. That changes when she meets MJ; handsome and kind, MJ penetrates Maddy’s defenses. Maddy soon finds herself confiding in MJ like she has with no one else, revealing secrets even her closest friends don’t know. He makes her feel safe—a feeling she’s never experienced except in her dreams.
When Maddy witnesses MJ disappear and reappear in thin air, she realizes she might have been wrong about him. He could be dangerous—maybe even a killer. Determined to uncover the truth of who—or what—MJ is, Maddy ignores her instinct to run. But she soon realizes that getting close to MJ could cost more than a broken heart—it could cost Maddy her soul.

24036086From a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

When Lucas Walker inexplicably recovers from a terminal illness, everyone is astonished --except for his girlfriend Emma, who never gave up hope. However, as friends and family celebrate the miracle, Emma becomes alarmed: Lucas has changed. He speaks haltingly, can't recall past events, and even his own dog doesn't recognize him. Emma begins to suspect something is terribly wrong. What happened to the Lucas she loved? Does his strange behavior have something to do with the shooting light that fell into Lucas's backyard the night he recovered?
As the two set off on a road trip in search of the truth, the journey takes an unexpected turn. First they're shot at by unknown enemies and then helped by unlikely allies. Before long, Emma and Lucas are plunged into a desperate life or death race against time.

The Coffee Book Tag

Hello guys! As I was watching The Book Hoarder's Coffe Book Tag she said she tagged everyone who wanted to do it, so I thought it would make a nice post!
So here's my Coffee Book Tag!

1. Black: Name a series that's tough to get into but has hardcore fans.
A Song of Ice and Fire (a.k.a. Game of Thrones) by George R.R. Martin
Even if I'm already into this series fan base I have to recognize that it's a though one to get into. The first book is a tid bit intimidating and discourages lots of people, one example of this is my father.
Some time after I started reading the books and passing the days trying to convince my family to read them my dad finally sucumbed and asked me to read the first book (in my country the series is divided into ten books). I was extremely happy to lend it to him, in my head I was finally going to have a fan partner to whom I could talk about the series with (this was before the TV show).
A week after I had lent him the book my father calls me and asks "Why are all these people dying? *SPOILER* was my favorite!" after that he started to ask me about the fate of some characthers and I started saying things like "burnt to death", "decapitated", etc... After sometime he turns to me, hands me the book and says "I'm sorry but I give up!".
This event made me realize that this series (the books, not the series) is only for dedicated and brave fans who can stand high quantities of death, torture, suspence and things not going our way.

2. Peppermint mocha: Name a book that gets more popular during the winter or a festive time of year.
22914373
My True Love Gave to Me curated by Stephanie Perkins
When the weather gets cold and Christmas is at the door this book starts flying of the shelves and, even if still haven't read it, it's still a very big wish of mine to do it. What's better than a cozy romantic book for a cozy time like Christmas and winter?









3. Hot chocolate: What is your favorite children's book?
Children often need good examples in order to behave well or someone who understands them and does all the things they cannot do in order to allow them to dream bigger. Percy is just that. He teaches children about good and evil, Greek myths and the true meaning of friendship and love. This is all done while they experience a mind blowing age appropriate tale that they can really enjoy, not even knowing what they're learning.







4. Double shot of espresso: Name a book that kept you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
25494343Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare
I don't know why but since I read The Mortal Instruments series for the first time this author has grabbed my heart and soul and almost everything she writes grabs my focus immediately. This book made me love, hate and suffer like no other had before and the ending... oh, the ending!








5. Starbucks: Name a book you see everywhere.
22557272The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins
This book is literaly everywhere (even on my shelves)! Since it came out it has been a sales success and is always on the bestsellers self on my local bookshop. I still haven't read it and, to be honest, I have very low expectations for this book.









6. That hipster coffee shop: Give a book by an indie author a shoutout
19504931Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol
I absolutely love this series! This book swept me of my feet and I have to tell you that it's beautifully writen and that I think that it's highly undervalued.
Kricket Hollowell is normally not one to wish upon stars; she believes they’re rarely in her favor. Well versed at dodging caseworkers from Chicago’s foster care system, the past few years on her own have made Kricket an expert at the art of survival and blending in. With her 18th birthday fast approaching, she dreams of the day when she can stop running and find what her heart needs most: a home.
Trey Allairis hates Earth and doubts that anyone from his world can thrive here. What he’s learning of Kricket and her existence away from her true home only confirms his theory. But, when he and Kricket lie together under the stars of Ethar, counting them all may be easier than letting her go.
Kyon Ensin’s secrets number the stars; he knows more about Kricket's gifts than anyone and plans to possess her because of them. He also knows she’s more valuable than any fire in the night sky. He’ll move the heavens and align them all in order to make her his own.
When everything in their world can be broken, will Kricket rely upon love to save her under different stars?
Here's my review of the book:  Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol

7. Oops! I accidentally got decaf: Name a book you were expecting more from.
Don't get me wrong I liked this book and I actually ejoyed reading it! Still, I have to admit that I had very high expectations for it and they were not met.










8. The perfect blend: Name a book or series that was both bitter and sweet but ultimately satisfying.
8667848Honestly I can't remember one but since I cannot do it I'll recommend you one of the best series I have ever read: The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness.
Here's the summary of the first book:
Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. 

I tag all of you who are reading this that to do it!
Love, Ana

Here's the "The Book Hoarder" video: