What are you Reading? ~ Dec. 23, 2015

What are you Reading? is my weekly Wednesday meme! You are welcome to join me, just answer the following questions:

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you plan on reading next?

What am I currently reading? I'm currently reading Winter (The Lunar Chronicles) by Marissa Meyer. I've just started, but I'm so excited to read this! 

What did I recently finish reading? I finished reading Lucky 13: Matchmaking and Misunderstandings by Cat Gardiner. 




I also read Alone with Mr. Darcy: A Pride & Prejudice Variation by Abigail Reynolds.

Both of these are Pride and Prejudice retellings, one modern and one regency. That's two more to add to my Austenesque TBR 2015 reading challenge. I need to read two more to complete the challenge!



What do I plan on reading next? I'm not sure. Hopefully, I can get a couple more Austenesque reads in! 

FTC Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. I am an Amazon Associate. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provided, I will receive a small commission. Thanks!

What are you reading? I'd love to hear!

Merry Christmas!  

Austentatious By Alyssa Goodnight

Austentatious is an awesome story!!  What happens when a nerdy engineer meets a HOT Scottish musician? Throw a magical journal into the mix and life can get a little out of control! All of which makes a humorous story that I couldn’t put down!

The day Nicola James begins writing in an antique journal, her "Life Plan" begins to unravel. Her entries disappear only to be replaced with tidbits of advice on life and romance. Very skeptical, Nic tries to ignore the advice “Fairy Jane” is giving her because magic can’t possibly exist...can it?

Sean MacInnes is determined to get to know Nicola. They meet at a wedding after he rescues her from a near disastrous mushroom incident. He immediately melts my, oh, I mean, her heart with his charming and playful personality. But he cannot possibly be the one....a Hot musician? Romance right now is not part of her plan.

I adored Nic’s friends Beck and Gabe, as well as her kooky neighbors! Beck, her mentee, is totally open to “Fairy Jane’s” advice and the magic of the journal. She encourages Nic to listen to its wisdom. Her nosey neighbors, Leslie and Laura, are a hoot and are not above giving advice of their own. 

There is so much I loved about this book that I can’t possibly cover it all. I loved the language and random Star Wars, Batman, and other movie references sprinkled through out the story. I found myself wishing I could speak to Nic about what was in the journal, about her decisions and her “Life Plan.”

Austentatious is a romantic, laugh out loud funny story and it is written in such a way I could see everything so clearly in my mind! It would make a great film! I would definitely recommend reading this one! 

I give this 5 stars!

I won my copy of Austentatious from Seeing Night Reviews.

You can buy a copy here.

About the Author:

Much like the heroine of Austentatious, Alyssa Goodnight has lived in Austin, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, worked in the semiconductor industry, and experienced the Weird. She has not owned a magical journal or ever bandied words with the spirit of Jane Austen. She would positively relish the opportunity. Alyssa currently lives between Houston and Galveston with her husband, two sons, and their adventure dog, Indiana Jones. She does her writing with an ice-cold can of Dr. Pepper and her reading with cake whenever possible. She is dutifully working on her next novel while dreaming of the day that she finds herself conscripted into a flash mob dance. Alyssa’s first novel, Unladylike Pursuits, was termed ‘irresistible’ by Booklist. 

Vist Alyssa at her website: Alyssa Goodnight; Facebook: Alyssa Goodnight; Twitter: @a_goodnight.

The Merchant's Daughter By Melanie Dickerson

     Set in 1352 England, The Merchant’s Daughter is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It is a beautiful story about courage, honor, justice and love.

     Since the death of her father and the loss of their wealth, Annabel’s mother and brothers have not contributed to the community monetarily or by working in the fields. They feel they are above such things! Now the manorial court has ordered them to pay up or one of them would have to work as a servant for Lord le Wyse for the next 3 years. With no money, her older brother, Edward, plans to marry Annabel off to the vile Bailiff Tom. In return, the bailiff will pay their fines.

     Lord le Wyse is a bitter young man with a terrible temper, which is magnified by his appearance. He was disfigured during a wolf attack, that scarred his face and eye, leaving him with the need of an eye patch. His heart has been scarred also, after the woman he loved ripped it apart. Now he feels all women are deceitful, especially beautiful ones.

     With the choice before her of marrying Bailiff Tom or working as a servant to Lord Le Wyse, Annabel chooses to be a servant. Does Annabel make the right choice? Will life as a servant be just as terrifying as being a wife to the horrid bailiff?

     Annabel is a sweet girl without coming across as sappy. I loved how she relies on her faith to get her through her fears and troubles. And troubles she has when the bailiff stirs up the villagers blaming all their recent misfortunes on the new Lord, saying Lord le Wyse is cursed!

     I really enjoyed the story! I loved the cover. If you look closely at the mirror, you can see the face of Lord le Wyse! This is a great read! 

I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Buy a copy of The Merchant's Daughter here.

What's your favorite fairytale retelling?

Awake By Jessica Grey

I was so excited to have the opportunity to read an ARC of Awake! I truly enjoyed every minute of it! 

What would happen if after more than 800 years had passed, Sleeping Beauty was kissed by the wrong person? And what if that person switched places with Sleeping Beauty?

Alex, Becca and Luke are interning at the Gem and Mineral Museum for the summer when a new exhibit comes in. In the exhibit is this beautiful bed encrusted with gems. Alex arrives early to the museum and finds Luke sleeping in the bed! Sitting on a crate nearby is a Princess! It turns out the Princess, Lilia de la Foret, has been sleeping in the bed for nearly 900 years! Luke and Lilia have switched places! Alex, Becca and Lilia band together to figure out how to break the spell and free Luke!

Grey paints a vivid picture of magic working in unison with nature. It’s an enchanting adventure of courage, self-discovery and friendship. The story is woven together with humor, mystery and true love. Grey was also able to stir in me those feelings you get during a first kiss! *sign*

I adore how Luke always tries to protect Alex, even while he is asleep. He is the strong silent type, not pushy but always there when you need him!

I loved this story! 

5 out of 5 stars.

Buy a copy of Awake here.

ARC provided by author.

About the Author:

Jessica Grey is an author, fairytale believer, baseball lover, and recovering Star Wars fangirl.  A life-long Californian, she now lives in Montana with her husband, Edward, and two children, Maddie and James, where she spends her time writing, perfecting the fine art of toddler-wrangling, and drinking way too much caffeine.

You can find Jessica online at www.authorjessicagrey.com and www.fairytaletrilogy.com

Comments are always welcome!