6 Apr 2018

Book Beginnings on Friday and the Friday 56 #11


Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56 are weekly memes hosted by Rose City Reader and Freda's Voice.

Rules: 

Book Beginnings: Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. 

The Friday 56: Grab a book, turn to page 56 or 56% in you eReader. Find any sentence (not spoilery) and reflect on it if you want.


I'm participating in Hope, Faith & Books's Red Queen read-along which started on Monday, that's the reason why I've decided to feature this series-starter today:

(Red Queen #1)
by Victoria Aveyard


Synopsis:

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The poverty-stricken Reds are commoners, living in the shadow of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from the Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Then Mare finds herself working at the Silver palace, in the midst of those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.



Book Beginning:

I hate First Friday.

You're dying to know what happens on First Fridays, aren't you? :)


The Friday 56:

Walsh stays by me, whispering advice. "Say nothing. Hear nothing. Speak to no one, for they will not speak to you."

In other words: be invisible. Mare lives in a harsh world, that much is clear. 

If you'd like to join us in the Red Queen read-along, you still have the chance to do it by clicking on the picture below.

 

What is your current read? How is your week looking so far? 

5 Apr 2018

My trip to Oradea in pictures

Some of you requested to see the pictures I took during my stay in Oradea, Romania. This is me giving in, but let me forewarn you; I'm really bad at editing pictures so you'll see them in their original state here. Enjoy the realism and please don't be alarmed by my no-filter face :)

I went to Oradea with my family (parents and my younger brothers) on Friday, March 30th and we stayed until Monday, April 2nd. We rarely go on family trips together anymore, since 3 out of the 4 'children' in the family (including myself) are adults and we usually plan separate holidays for ourselves. Neither me nor my brothers have kids on our own yet but we have a kid brother who we love to spend time with. All of us really enjoyed this journey, since the city was beautiful and for two days we had nice weather too.

And now, the pictures:

A walk in the city centre:

(from left to right): the City Hall Tower, the State Theatre and the Church of St. Spirit:


The Black Eagle Palace:


I became part of the 20th century literary society of Oradea for a short moment:

(From left to right: Endre Ady, Gyula Juhász, Ákos Dutka and Tamás Emőd)

Endre Ady, the guy with the bow tie, is one of my favourite Hungarian poets.

My brothers on the Main Square, the Neolog Synagogue Zion and the Black Eagle Palace at night:



A story in pictures involving me and my little ray of sunshine:

The Good, the Bad and the Horror Bunny:

 So that's it, phew. A bunch of bad photos (I've just realised I photographed the majority of the buildings from a distance, jeez) that, despite their awkwardness, make me recall a ton of nice memores. 

I hope you enjoyed this short pic-sharing post.

4 Apr 2018

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway - Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts


Title: Hiding

Author: Jenny Morton Potts

Synopsis:

A gripping psychological thriller with chilling twists, from a unique new voice.
 

Keller Baye and Rebecca Brown live on different sides of the Atlantic. Until she falls in love with him, Rebecca knows nothing of Keller. But he’s known about her for a very long time, and now he wants to destroy her.

This is the story of two families. One living under the threat of execution in North Carolina. The other caught up in a dark mystery in the Scottish Highlands. The families’ paths are destined to cross. But why? And can anything save them when that happens?

My Thoughts:

This was my first psychological thriller in a while and I enjoyed it immensely.

Keller and Rebecca should be total strangers to each other, since he lives in America and she in a remote mansion in Scotland. They have never visited the other's country and neither of them has ever laid eyes on the other. Yet there is a deadly connection between them that only one of them knows about. Keller is out for revenge and it seems no one is capable to keep him from doing his 'duty'.

I can't really give much away to keep this one interesting for future readers. Obviously, the invisible thread that stretches between Keller and Rebecca has a root in the past. Something had happened long ago that jumbled up the life of two families; an event that left children without their parents and created secrets that are whispered in passageways of a crumbling house. However, as always, the truth will out and both sides need to face the consequences in the end.

There are two POVs throughout the book: Keller's and Rebecca's. We get glimpses of them from their childhood onwards, and this helps to get to know both characters; their motivations and their feelings. I enjoyed Rebecca's side of the story more, but perhaps this had to do with the Scottish setting which I was in love with. Keller's chapters are interesting because we get more information about the event that messed up everything and his disturbed thoughts build tension in the reader, they make you anticipate what will happen next.

Eventually the two characters meet and that's when the situation becomes really worrying. By that time the reader knows Rebecca's whole family and I personally feared for them, because I grew to like them a lot. Eccentric Primmy, the grandmother, caring Tilly, the sister, Juliet and Neil, the ones I'm not supposed to write about unless I want to spoil everything for you... By the end of the story everyone is in grave danger and the only questions are: who will live and who will die?

The writing was very enjoyable, the characters were well-developed. Sometimes I didn't agree with Rebecca's actions (dating a stalker fan??), but she wasn't an annoying heroine altogether. Her childhood memories fascinated me and I also liked to read about her bonding with her grandfather.

I was on the edge of my seat while reading the last third of the novel and I rooted for Rebecca and her folks like crazy.

Keller was a complex male protagonist. The ending added yet another layer to his character and I feel I should have hated the last page but I didn't.

I recommend this book to lovers of the thriller genre, though be warned that there are some 18+ scenes in it that are not for the faint-hearted. If you're not bothered by that, pick it up by all means!


About the Author:

Jenny Morton Potts was born in a smart, dull suburb of Glasgow where the only regular excitement was burglary. Attended a smart, dull school where the only regular excitement was the strap. Worked in smart, dull sales and marketing jobs until realising she was living someone else’s life.

Escaped to Gascony to make gîtes. Knee deep in cement and pregnant, Jenny was happy. Then autism and a distracted spine surgeon who wanted to talk about The Da Vinci Code, wiped out the order. Returned to wonderful England – and unlikely ever to leave again – Jenny, with assistance from loyal hound, walked and swam her way back to manageable health.

Jenny would like to see the Northern Lights but worries that’s the best bit and should be saved till last. Very happily, and gratefully, partnered for 28 years, she ought to mention, and living with inspirational child in Thaxted, Essex.

Website I Twitter I Goodreads

Giveaway:

Two digital copies of Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts. Open internationally.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 Apr 2018

March Wrap-Up, April TBR

Happy Easter, Folks!!!

https://media.giphy.com/media/vbT1NvTo5DF8k/giphy.gif 

One more month is gone and hopefully Easter will bring us the spring we deserve. 

I know I'm a bit late with this wrap-up post... my only excuse is that I've just got home from my trip to Romania and I didn't have much time to blog there.

I don't have any reason to complain, March was generally a good blogging month for me. I'm a bit behind with my reviews but I'll work on them in April and try to catch up with myself.

Here is a summary of March on Paradise Found:

I've finished six books:

Sawbones by Melissa Lenhardt Review

Song of Blood & Stone by L. Penelope – Book Tour and Review is coming at the end of April.

Ain't He Precious by Juliette Poe Review

Oops, Caught by Alli Reshi Review

The Red Tent by Anita Diamant – Review is coming soon

Hiding by Jenny Morton Potts  – Book Tour and Review is coming on April 4th.


Other posts on the blog in the month of March:

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini Review
 
For The Love of Fish! – Oscars 2018 + Book Adaptation Tag
 
Some quotes to brighten your day
 
Creating the atmosphere
 
Words, words, words – Review: Hamlet (National Theatre Live) with Benedict Cumberbatch
 
Book Blitz + Giveaway – The Dragon Raider by Ava Richardson


Weekly memes:  

Goodreads Monday (Mar 5, Mar 19, Mar 26

Tell Me Something Tuesday (Mar 20)

WWW Wednesday (Mar 7, Mar 14, Mar 28)

Book Beginnings and the Friday 56 (Mar 2, Mar 9, Mar 16, Mar 23, Mar 30)   

Stacking the Shelves (Mar 10)

Weekend Wrap-up (Mar 17, Mar 24, Mar 31)  


Plans for April:

I'd like to read the following books in April (in no particular order):
How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather

The Last Sun by K. D. Edwards 

Nothing But Sky by Amy Trueblood

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard  

How was your March? Did you have a satisfying reading month?

31 Mar 2018

Weekend Wrap-up #3

The Sunday post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Reviewer. It's a chance to share news, a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things you have received.


I was on the move the whole week, it felt really nice to leave my town for a bit after spending months at home. I was called in for a job interview in Budapest so I travelled there in the middle of the week. That also gave me opportunity to spend a whole day there with my boyfriend after the interview. We went to the cinema, watched Black Panther at last and we even had some time left to wander around together. It was a lovely day.

On Friday we came to Oradea, Romania with my family to spend the Easter weekend here and we are having a good time. It's a beautiful city with wonderful buildings (although a lot of them could do with a little renovation). There is an Easter market in the main square, the sun is shining... all in all I count myself lucky to be here right now.

I hope your Easter weekend is going well too!

Posts this week:

Stacking the Shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews that makes it possible to share with other bookworms what books you added to your shelves physical or virtual during the week. 

Purchased:

Physical book: 
 
Title: Norse Mythology

Author: Neil Gaiman 


I was so glad to find this book in one of the shop windows in Oradea. I bought the last copy, it was waiting just for me. As you know Neil Gaiman is my favourite contemporary writer, I'm collecting his books. Can't wait to start this. I've always wanted to know more about Norse Mythology.








Ebook:

Title: How to Hang a Witch

Author: Adriana Mather

Source: Amazon


I've featured this book in one of my Goodreads Monday posts before. Since I'm watching NBC's Timeless, and the Salem episode is coming up this Sunday I wanted to start a book that matches the theme. Probably I will start this tomorrow and we'll see how I'll like it.





ARCs:

Title: The Shipbuilder

Author: Salina B. Baker

Source: RABT Book Tours 


Paradise Found will be part of The Shipbuilder's book tour and since these days I'm drawn to sea adventures or books that have something to do with ships and the sea I'm excited about this novel. I have started reading it and my book tour post is coming on April 15.




Title: Winter Eternal (The River that Flows Two Ways #1)

Author: E. Thomas Joseph

Source: Prodigy Gold Books


Prodigy Gold Books asked me to read and review this new title of theirs. At the time of the War of Independence soldiers and occultists alike race to acquire a mysterious artifact that can defeat time. It sounds interesting, I like the setting and the cover too (zombie soldier, hahhh).




How was your week? What are you reading at the moment? Please leave your STS and Sunday post links in a comment below!

30 Mar 2018

Book Beginnings on Friday and the Friday 56 #10

Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56 are weekly memes hosted by Rose City Reader and Freda's Voice.

Rules: 

Book Beginnings: Share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. 

The Friday 56: Grab a book, turn to page 56 or 56% in you eReader. Find any sentence (not spoilery) and reflect on it if you want.

This Friday I've started the following book:

by Salina B. Baker


Synopsis:

In the summer of 1869, beleaguered for-hire killer Zach Dimitru arrives in Eastport, Maine, bearing an amulet and searching for absolution. His salvation is dependent on the Benoit Family, who are also pitiless and tormented. Zach's deliverance is reliant on Juliette Benoit. The young woman is grieving the loss of her soul mate, whom she believes has reincarnated without her. Miraculously, the amulet imparts messages to Juliette. The fate of both Zach and Juliette, as well as the town, depends upon her ability to learn and convey those lessons before the arrival of a hurricane--one with the force to devastate Eastport.


Book Beginning:

Prologue:

Shelby Rolle's hands shook as he threw his fishing net into the blue water.

Chapter one:

The storm pummeling Eastport, Maine moaned in sympathy as Helen Vickers struggled to give birth.

Children born during a storm tend to be strong ones. I hope this baby will be healthy.


The Friday 56: 

The amulet was her secret – her precious companion. She believed that its murmurings were an exclusive part of her psyche. Sissy's calim to hear the amulet felt like a betrayal.

Ahh, the mysterious amulet. I'm curious what 'murmurings' mean here. Do they hear what the amulet 'says' in their head? We'll see...

What are you reading at the moment? Please leave a link to your Friday post below!

29 Mar 2018

Book Blitz + Giveaway - Dragon Raider by Ava Richardson

Title: Dragon Raider

Author: Ava Richardson

Genre: YA Fantasy

Release Date: March 28th 2018

Summary:
Will adapting to a changing world make one young woman lose touch with where she came from? Far from the kingdom of Torvald, on the Western Isles near the coast, Sea Dragons rule the skies. 

Lila is the daughter of the Raider leader, destined to take his place one day aboard their plundering ships. Her people value only what shiny trinkets they can get their hands on, but she aspires to much more than that: Lila wants the Raiders to become Dragon Mercenaries, dragon riders who help protect merchant fleets and navies from attack. 

Her father Kasian is skeptical, but a young monk named Danu—with a quest of his own—comes bearing a prophecy claiming that Lila is the lost heir of Roskilde, a born Dragon Rider. With Danu’s guidance, Lila finds the unruly dragon she’s destined to bond with—but the mismatched pair soon learn that much more than just their futures is at stake.

 

Buy Links:

Excerpt: 

Churning seas, bright with blood. Fire billowing over the water, and dark skies heavy with thunder…

“Aii!” The old woman awakes with a start to find herself in her simple round room in her simple round hut. The inner walls are dark, though she knows with the dawn the plaster will gleam white. The floor is yet the solid, deep mahogany planks she has trod for decades. The roof is still the weathered, bone-white but also bone-strong giant supports of giant driftwood, with heavy, warm thatch over that. Here are not the churning and frothing waters of her dreams. Not the billows of fire, not the dark storm skies.

The old woman sighs deeply, patting her frail chest as if to quiet the night terrors that had so recently fluttered there.

To say that this woman is old is an understatement. Chabon Kaidence is beyond ancient. Her pale skin is deeply lined as if cracked, and her eyes are sunken – but there is still a spark of vitality within their depths, like hidden stars. Even the folds and wrinkles of her skin still glows despite its age.
The Matriarch of the West Witches has been alive for a long time, long enough to know when a dream has stopped being just that, and has instead, become a prophecy.

A pale hand moves unsteadily to the wicker table, where a silver bell sits on piece of rough-woven, colorful fabric. She rings it, once, for the silver chime to cut through the night like a shooting star.

“Mother?” A voice sounds almost immediately at the heavy purple curtains that hang over her door, and, for a moment Chabon blinks from the glare of brighter light outside.

“You fool!” snaps another voice behind the first, and into her room step two women: one is tall and lean, with skin the color of rich, warm earth, and the other is as pale as Chabon lying before them. 

The first has braids of black hair falling behind her back like tree roots, whereas the pale woman has fields of golden hair streaming behind her like sunshine. It is this fair and pale woman who snaps at her darker colleague.

“Afar, you’ll blind the Mother. Turn off that light!” she says angrily, pushing her way into the room to cross the mahogany floor and stand at Chabon’s bedside.

Afar scowls for a moment, but she does as she is advised, turning the notches on the lantern until it only emits a dulled, yellowish glow as she steps into the room. Behind her, the Matriarch catches a glimpse of the wooden walkways that stretch from one hut to the next, crisscrossing the island of Sebol like vines.

“I am blinded by the darkness, Ohotto, not the light,” Chabon breathes to her two most-trusted sisters amongst the witches.

“Yes, Mother.” Ohotto hangs her pale head in shame, as Afar steps to her bedside bringing with her a pouch of rich and nourishing purple berry juice.

“Are you thirsty, Mother? Do your aches pain you?” Afar says in her heavy voice. She is not a native to these Western Islands, but she has spent many years here, under Chabon’s tutelage.

“No time to drink. I will repeat a dream for you, a nightmare – and I want you both to remember it, and to set it down on paper as soon as you can,” Chabon says. “It is a nightmare that I have had many times over the years, but now it comes frequently, every moon! Every week!”

“A prophecy.” Afar nods her head in awe. This will not be the first such prophecy that has fallen from the oldest witch’s lips. Afar Nguoa just hopes that it is also not the last.

“The seas are churning, bright with blood, and atop the waves there are flames,”

Chabon intones, her voice carrying in the still airs of her hut. “There is a darkness to the skies, a darkness that is more than thunder, but a darkness as if the sun is blocked by great wings….” The old woman wets her lips, remembering the other parts of the nightmare that she has had throughout her life. Like the stationary stars in the sky can suddenly coalesce into a constellation when one squints at them right, so the nightmares fall into place, one after another.

“There is a child, born from the waters. A girl, rising from the north-east sea, under a dragon’s angry call and upon her head is a crown made of leaping waves.”

About the Author: 

Ava Richardson writes epic page-turning Young Adult Fantasy books. She creates lovable characters and drops them into intricate worlds that are barely contained within your eReader. Her current work is the ‘Return of the Darkening Series’, which features Seb, Thea and their shared dragon, Kalax. 

She grew up on a steady diet of fantasy and science fiction books handed down from her two big brothers – and despite being dog-eared and missing pages, she loved escaping into the magical worlds that those authors created. Her favorites were the ones about dragons; where they’d swoop, dive and soar through the skies of these enchanted lands. 

Author Links: Website | Goodreads | Facebook 


GIVEAWAY: 

Enter to win a Dragon Trinket Box HERE!

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