Sophie Reads YA: August 2017

August Summary

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What I've read this month:

How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You
Series: Aurora Skye #1
Author: Tara Eglington
Published October 25th 2016 by A Thomas Dunne Book for St. Martin's Griffin (eARC)
Read: August 4-5 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

Kissing Max Holden
Series: None
Author: Katy Upperman
Published: August 1st 2017 by Swoon Reads
Read: August 5 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Debut Author Challenge, 2017 RockMyTBR, 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge

Prince in Disguise
Series: None
Author: Stephanie Kate Strohm
Published December 19th 2017 by Disney-Hyperion (eARC)
Read: August 8 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

Just Friends
Series: None
Author: Tiffany Pitcock
Published: August 1st 2017 by Swoon Reads
Read: August 9 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Debut Author Challenge, 2017 RockMyTBR, 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge

Love & Gelato
Series: None
Author: Jenna Evans Welch
Published June 1st 2017 by Walker Books (ARC)
Read: August 8-10 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

The Bad Boy Bargain
Series: Suttonville Sentinels #1
Author: Kendra C. Highley
Published November 14th 2016 by Entangled Publishing (eARC)
Read: August 14 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

The Replacement Crush
Series: None
Author: Lisa Brown Roberts
Published September 6th 2016 by Entangled: Crush (eARC)
Read: August 15 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

Swinging at Love
Series: Suttonville Sentinels #2
Author: Kendra C. Highley
Published March 6th 2017 by Entangled Publishing (eARC)
Read: August 17 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

Boomerang Boyfriend
Series: None
Author: Chris Cannon
Published September 11th 2017 by Entangled: Crush (eARC)
Read: August 17-18 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

Breaking the Rules of Revenge
Series: None
Author: Samantha Bohrman
Published September 11th 2017 by Entangled Publishing (eARC)
Read: August 19 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 ARC August

Stalking Jack the Ripper
Series: Stalking Jack the Ripper #1
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Published September 20th 2016 by Jimmy Patterson
Read: August 24-26 2017
My Rating: 5 Stars
Challenge: 2017 RockMyTBR

Changes in Latitudes
Series: None
Author: Jen Malone
Published July 25th 2017 by HarperTeen
Read: August 4-28 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge, 2017 RockMyTBR

Lucky in Love
Series: None
Author: Kasie West
Published July 25th 2017 by Scholastic
Read: August 26-29 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars
Challenge: 2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge

Challenges Update:

2017 Contemporary Romance: 12 (36 total)
2017 Flights of Fantasy: (14 total)
2017 RockMyTBR: 4 (34 total)
2017 Debut Author Challenge: 2 (8 total)
2017 ARC August: 8 (8 total)

Summary:

I've had a good month this month, especially at the beginning. Contemporary fiction seems to be all I wanted this summer, and I haven't been let down! I think reading 8 ARCs for my 2017 ARC August goal, was decent too.

How have you done this month? Let me know below.

Blog Tour

Blog Tour Discussion: Hunting Prince Dracula by Kerri Maniscalco (+ giveaway)

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Favourite Stalking Jack The Ripper Fanart

Stalking Jack the Ripper was one of my favourite debuts of 2016, and when I heard about this tour, I jumped at the chance to take part. My post is about fanart, and some of my favourites.

For this series, one of my favourite artists is PhantomRin, some of whose work is here.

I love how Audrey Rose and Thomas look in these artworks.

These are other edits and artwork I've found on tumblr that I really enjoy. All links are given below.

source

source

*bonus HPD fanart*

source

About the Book:

Title: Hunting Prince Dracula

Author: Kerri Maniscalco

Expected publication: September 19th 2017 by Little, Brown & Company

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

In this hotly anticipated sequel to the haunting #1 bestseller Stalking Jack the Ripper, bizarre murders are discovered in the castle of Prince Vlad the Impaler, otherwise known as Dracula. Could it be a copycat killer...or has the depraved prince been brought back to life?

Following the grief and horror of her discovery of Jack the Ripper's true identity, Audrey Rose Wadsworth has no choice but to flee London and its memories. Together with the arrogant yet charming Thomas Cresswell, she journeys to the dark heart of Romania, home to one of Europe's best schools of forensic medicine...and to another notorious killer, Vlad the Impaler, whose thirst for blood became legend.

But her life's dream is soon tainted by blood-soaked discoveries in the halls of the school's forbidding castle, and Audrey Rose is compelled to investigate the strangely familiar murders. What she finds brings all her terrifying fears to life once again.

***

PRAISE FOR HUNTING PRINCE DRACULA

“There are plenty of suspects and red herrings as well as tense escalations….A scenic, twisty mystery.”

―Kirkus Reviews

“Readers of the previous mystery will be thrilled to have more of this likable duo. [A] delightful romp into an 1888 Gothic mystery with a hint of romance.”

―School Library Connection

About Kerri:

Kerri Maniscalco grew up in a semi-haunted house outside NYC where her fascination with gothic settings began. In her spare time she reads everything she can get her hands on, cooks all kinds of food with her family and friends, and drinks entirely too much tea while discussing life’s finer points with her cats.

Her first novel in this series, Stalking Jack the Ripper, debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It incorporates her love of forensic science and unsolved history.

Tour Schedule:

August 21st ~ Paper Cuts: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 22nd ~ Literary Legionnaire: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 24th ~ Arctic Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
August 25th ~ 21st Century Once Upon A Times: A “Drink Your way through SJTR: Tea Edition”
August 28th ~ Hiver Et Café: History of Prince Dracula
August 29th ~ Justice Reads: Review of Hunting Prince Dracula
August 30th ~ Nicole’s Novel Reads: Travelling Etiquette and tips for Victorian Women
August 31st ~ Sophie Reads YA: Favourite Stalking Jack the Ripper Fanart
September 1st ~ LILbooKlovers: Top Ten Quotes from Stalking Jack the Ripper
September 4th ~ One Way or An Author: Hunting Prince Dracula Phone Backgrounds
September 5th ~ A Blinding Book: Hunting Prince Dracula Aesthetic
September 6th ~ Rants & Raves: Review & Snacks
September 7th ~ Rattle the Stars: Hunting Prince Dracula Playlist
September 8th ~ A Gingerly Reviews: Hunting Prince Dracula Review
September 11th ~ The Plot Bunny: Hunting Prince Dracula Trick or Treat Customer Ideas
September 12th ~ Blame it on The Books: Hunting Prince Dracula Review
September 13th ~ The Reader & the Chef : Hunting Prince Dracula’s Menu
September 14th ~ Books, Tv, and More…Oh MY!!: Top Ten Favourite Traits of Audrey & Thomas
September 15th ~ Unquenchable Reads : GIF, GIFS, and more GIFS
September 18th ~ Rattle the Pages : A Glimpse Back in Time: Vlad The Impaler edition
September 19th ~ Beyond the Book Reviews: Character Wears of the 21st Century
September 20th ~ The Heart of a Book Blogger : Hunting Prince Dracula Mood Board

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Poison Dark and Drowning

Waiting on Wednesday: A Poison Dark and Drowning (Kingdom on Fire #2) by Jessica Cluess

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

This week's pick is:

A Poison Dark and Drowning
Series: Kingdom on Fire #2
Author: Jessica Cluess
Published September 19th 2017 by Random House Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary
The magicians want her to lead.
The sorcerers want her to lie.
The demons want her blood.
Henrietta wants to save the one she loves.
But will his dark magic be her undoing?

In this seductive and explosive second book in the Kingdom on Fire series, Jessica Cluess delivers her signature mix of magic, passion, and teen warriors fighting for survival. Hand to fans of Victoria Aveyard, Sarah J. Maas, and Kiersten White.

Henrietta doesn't need a prophecy to know that she's in danger. She came to London to be named the chosen one, the first female sorcerer in centuries, the one who would defeat the Ancients. Instead, she discovered a city ruled by secrets. And the biggest secret of all: Henrietta is not the chosen one.

Still, she must play the role in order to keep herself and Rook, her best friend and childhood love, safe. But can she truly save him? The poison in Rook's system is transforming him into something monstrous as he begins to master dark powers of his own. So when Henrietta finds a clue to the Ancients past that could turn the tide of the war, she persuades Blackwood, the mysterious Earl of Sorrow-Fell, to travel up the coast to seek out strange new weapons. And Magnus, the brave, reckless flirt who wants to win back her favor, is assigned to their mission. Together, they will face monsters, meet powerful new allies, and uncover the most devastating weapon of all: the truth.

Goodreads

Why I'm waiting:

When I got A Shadow Bright and Burning for Christmas, I devoured it immediately. Regency Era fiction is my weakness, and added fantasy elements makes any book top of my wishlist!

Are you waiting for this book? Have you already read it? Let me know :)

ARC August

ARC August Update: 27th August 2017

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August

Stacking the Shelves: August 26th 2017

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#RockMyTBR 2016 Challenge

Review: Lady Thief (Scarlet #2) by A.C. Gaughen

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Lady Thief
Series: Scarlet #2
Author: A.C. Gaughen
Published February 11th 2014 by Walker Childrens

Goodreads Synopsis
Scarlet’s true identity has been revealed, but her future is uncertain. Her forced marriage to Lord Gisbourne threatens Robin and Scarlet’s love, and as the royal court descends upon Nottingham for the appointment of a new Sheriff, the people of Nottingham hope that Prince John will appoint their beloved Robin Hood. But Prince John has different plans for Nottingham that revolve around a fateful secret from Scarlet’s past even she isn’t yet aware of. Forced to participate at court alongside her ruthless husband, Scarlet must bide her time and act the part of a noblewoman—a worthy sacrifice if it means helping Robin’s cause and a chance at a future with the man she loves. With a fresh line of intrigue and as much passion as ever, the next chapter in Scarlet’s tale will have readers talking once again.
Goodreads

Review
After the ending of Scarlet, anyone would need to pick Lady Thief up immediately. Now that everyone knows just who Scarlet is, and why Gisbourne was so interested in finding her, they are trying to come to terms with the revelations. However, Prince John is due to arrive, to appoint a new Sheriff for the county. Obviously, everyone wants Robin to be Sheriff, and back in his rightful home, but John has another idea. He wants Gisbourne, and for this, Gisbourne needs his wife by his side. Even knowing that John and Gisbourne will make her life hell, she goes along with playing the dutiful wife, hoping that it will help Rob become Sheriff, and protect the people of Nottingham.

Once again, I find myself in love with Scarlet. She's so selfless when it comes to protecting the people she cares about, and even though she knows it's going to be dangerous to move into the castle and play at being Gisbourne's wife, she'll do it anyway, to help Rob and the others. She suffers loads in this book, and never once does she complain - I think it's kind of a self deprecating thing, where she feels that her past actions means that she deserves the pain she is suffering at the moment. However, that doesn't mean she'll just take it lying down, she plans on making Gisbourne, and John, suffer for what they are doing to Nottingham.

The romance between Scarlet and Rob was so bittersweet. After Scarlet, they thought that they could be happy together, but, of course, the whole matter of Scarlet having to play at being Gisbourne's wife, she and he are separated for a lot of the book. They want to protect each other, but by doing so, they hurt themselves more and more. No matter what, protecting the county and the people of Nottingham, is more important that anything else could be.

Having some actual historical figures in the book - not that I don't think Robin Hood was real, but, you know - was amazing. Eleanor of Aquitaine is my favourite Queen Consort of English/British history, and I adore anything to do with her. Having her power and strength shown in this book, and the fact she won't listen to John, who's just a jumped up prince, goes hand in hand with everything that is historically known about herself. I had a feeling why she was taking so much of an interest in Scarlet, but having them two together, was wonderful.

Yet again, there's a awful cliffhanger, and you'll need to have Lion Heart in your hands, or it'll cause you pain. I really can't help but to recommend these books over and over again, everyone needs to read them in their life.

Dates Read:
May 30-31, 2016
February 25-28, 2017

Rating
5 Stars