Author: Ally Carter
Publisher: Orchard
Released: March 2012
Pages: 323
Source: Bought
Rating: 5/5

The last thing Cammie Morgan remembers is leaving the Gallagher Academy to protect her friends and family. But when Cammie wakes up in an alpine convent and discovers months have passed, her memory is a black hole. The only traces left of Cammie’s summer vacation are the bruises on her body and dirt under her nails. All she wants is to go home. But even the Gallagher Academy now holds more questions than answers as Cammie and her friends face their most difficult challenge yet. With only their training and a few clues to guide them, the girls go in search of answers on the other side of the world. But the Circle is hot on their trail and will stop at nothing to prevent Cammie from remembering what she did last summer.

Out of Sight, Out of Time was one of my most anticipated 2012 releases and so as soon as I spotted it I just had to have it. Luckily, this book met my expectations and added yet another great edition to the Gallagher Girls series.

When I first heard about this book's storyline I started wondering how Carter was going to portray Cammie's memory loss without making it seem too... unbelievable. I'm glad to report back that this infact was not the case. Cammie's amnesia was played out very well. Naturally, of course, we are still kept in the dark about a few things that took place during Cammie's mysterious mission at the end but that's just Carter's way of getting you hooked on the series!

Yet again, my favourite character was Zach. I just love his whole personality. The bad boy side to him being one of the biggest reasons. The only character I didn't really like was Bex. The mistaken relationship twist near the beginning I found to be the origin! But even though after that was sorted out I still found her a little... unlikeable I suppose. I really wish Liz was included in it even more, she's a great character!

I managed to read this book in a day because it was that addictive. The writing style and the way Cammie told the story was just perfect. I really want there to be another sequel like right now! I need to know what happens! It's so unfair how Carter always manages to leave us admist a bundle of questions and... oh yeah, a possible mission!

Overall, Out of Sight, Out of Time was another great book to add on to a fab series! With a great storyline, characters and writing style this book swoops you up into a world of action that will have fans of action, kick-ass heroines and spies glued.


Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

PS: I'm sorry I haven't really been commenting on blogs this week, I've just been swamped with end of term tests!

Book Spotlight & Giveaway: Win The Lure of Shapinsay Ebook + Swag!

**Giveaway Now Closed**
Hello all! Today I've got a very special book to spotlight... oh yeah, and did I mention the author is generously going to giveaway a copy of the ebook plus all the swag . . . ?

The Lure of Shapinsay:
Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.

Kait is woken unexpectedly by a beautiful selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.

She obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder — is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?

This book has been getting great reviews and ratings on goodreads and you have to admit it sounds fab! Also, here is the trailer:


Now on to the GIVEAWAY! Or to be more specific, the INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY! The author is very kindly going to giveaway an ebook copy of The Lure of Shapinsay along with the tee-shirt (in all sizes), the bookmark and bookplate! Amazing or what?! I mean just look...


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Terms and Conditions:
The giveaway closes on the 10th April 2012 at 8pm.
International.
One entry per person.
Random Number Generator picks the winner so it's fair.
You must understand that the author will be taking care of shipping.

Good luck and Happy Reading to you all,
Rachel xoxo

PS: When I say pass forward your address - in the form - I mean only to the author because she is dealing with the shipping and such. I will not pass it on to just anyone! =]

In My Mailbox #10

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi over at The Story Siren where readers can share what books they received throughout the past week.


I only got the one book this week and that is Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins. Another shout out again to Beth for generously giving me this! I managed to devour it in a few hours and absolutely loved it! My review can be found here.
Link your own IMM in the comments and I'll try to stop by as soon as I can! =]

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins

Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Released: April 2010
Pages: 323
Source: Trade with Beth, THANK YOU!
Rating: 5/5

In the wake of a love spell gone horribly wrong, Sophie Mercer, a sixteen-year-old witch, is shipped off to Hecate Hall, a boarding school for witches, shapeshifters and faeries. The traumas of mortal high school are nothing compared to the goings on at "Freak High." It's bad enough that she has to deal with a trio of mean girls led by the glamorous Elodie, but it's even worse when she begins to fall for Elodie's gorgeous boyfriend, Archer Cross, and frankly terrifying that the trio are an extremely powerful coven of dark witches. But when Sophie begins to learn the disturbing truth about her father, she is forced to face demons both metaphorical and real, and come to terms with her own growing power as a witch.

First off I really want to thank, Beth for very graciously giving me this book and making me aware of it! I absolutely loved it and it's all thanks to Beth! Hex Hall is just my type of book with magic, romance, head-strong characters, paranormal elements and a boarding school! Need I say more?!

I instantly liked Sophie's character. She was witty and quite funny but I most admired her for her courage and how she never let anyone get the better of her. She stood up for herself. I reckon she'd be a great friend. I also wouldn't mind having her powers! Oh yes, it's safe to say I really enjoyed the fantasy/paranormal part of it all. Faeries, shape shifters, witches, warlocks, werewolves, vampires... woah!

The storyline was also great! We all know I love boarding school stories so I don't have to go into that aspect of it all but the way the plot was planned out and created was just wonderful and very well-developed! Unfortunetly Hawkins did create some cliffhangers and unanswered questions! I really hope the whole Archer thing is going to be answered soon *sob*! I also really enjoyed the mystery of who was behind it all... I didn't even guess!

Overall I loved, loved, loved Hex Hall! I managed to read it in only a few hours because I was glued! The characters, storyline, mystery and fantasy/paranormal aspect just made this book a great read. I am most definetly going to try and get my hands on the next installment as soon as I can!


Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Mist by Kathryn James

Author: Kathryn James
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Release Date: 1st September 2011
Pages: 310
Rating: 4/5

Midnight: a mist-haunted wood with a bad reputation. A sweet sixteen party, and thirteen-year-old Nell is trying to keep her sister, spoilt birthday-girl Gwen, out of trouble. No chance. Trouble finds Gwen and drags her through the mist. Only Nell guesses who's behind the kidnap - the boy she hoped was her friend, the gorgeous but mysterious Evan River.

Evan is no ordinary boy - he has a secret which will lead Nell to question everything she has always learned from her grandmother's stories. Evan lives on the fringes of Nell's world, rarely glimpsed, misunderstood and feared, but a long-simmering showdown between the two worlds is looming...

Mist sounded very intriguing when I first read the back of it. I picked this book up with hopeful expectations and, d'ya know what? It exceeded them! I wouldn't say it was an absolutely flawless book but it was just the sort-of story I was in the mood for: adventurous, fun, mysterious and not too long. It reminds me of the books I used to read before I became part of the book blogging world and was opened to a world of genres I never knew anything about, and I'm glad Mist opened those doors once again.

Nell Beecham is used to looking in from the outside. She's not as popular as her big sister, Gwen, and the only two best friends she's ever had dumped her for a life of make-up and boys. She knows she's different, but she never guessed how so...
Nell has talked to Evan Rivers a few times. He's different too. Not one to play by the rules. She never for one minute thought that a disastrous birthday party in the spooky woods would collide both of their very different worlds together, and set Nell a dangerous rescue mission into one of her grandmother's old fairytales.

This book had a great plot. Different and very refreshing. Not to mention pretty cool! You are sucked up into the action quickly and, even though a little build up would have been fine by me, it still worked well. The storyline was probably one of my favourite factors, along with the characters.

Nell, the main character, was brave and fought for those she loved which you can't help but admire. I love a brave heroine and of course she had a kind, gentle side to boost! Evan was my other favourite character though. He gave himself such a hard time when all he done was be kind and sweet and thoughtful and just pretty awesome!

Overall I found Mist quite an enjoyable read. I will definetly be looking out for the next in the series, Frost, which comes out sometime in June this year! This book would be suitable for a rainy day (a sunny one will do just fine too!) and I'm sure you'll like it if you try it! Hint, hint... ;)


Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Top Ten Tuesday #1

Hello all! Since I couldn't think of anything else to post about today and since you all deserve a new post I've decided to try out this meme that everyone seems to be doing! Enjoy!

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted over at The Broke and The Bookish where bloggers get to list their top ten books under a certain topic/category. These books can be upcoming releases or already published. This weeks topic is Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR List!

1) Insurgent by Veronica Roth
Divergent was great, so needless to say, this is probably the most anticipated spring release for me!

2) Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Wither was also great so I really want to get my hands on Fever at some point during this wonderful season!

3) The Selection by Kiera Cass
This book looks seriously amazing! Plus, the cover is gorge! This just looks... aghh! I need it right now! I don't want to wait until next month, that's not fair!

4) Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
I loved all of the four previous GG novels so I definetly need to get my hands on this one soon. I think it just hit shops... I need to start saving up! I really need to know what happens after the cliffhanger left in book four!

5) Fated by Alyson Noel
Yet again, another gorgeous cover! This is book one in a new series and it sounds really good! I can't wait for this spring release!

6) Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
This book actually arrived in the mail today thanks to the lovely Beth at Page-turner! As the amazing bloggers that regularly read this blog will know, I love a boarding school as the main setting! Add in some paranormal and romance? Count me in!

7) Goddess Interrupted by Aimee Carter
The first book in this series, The Goddess Test, was really good so, naturally, I need to know what happens next! Not to mention that the blurb sort-of poses a big twist!

8) Paper Towns by John Green
One of my closest friends loves John Green, so due to all of her rambles about how great his books are, I have decided to make it a goal to try and get my hands on at least one of his books. And this one was my first choice!

9) Forgive My Fins by Tera Lynn Childs
Ahhh, this book has been on my wishlist for ages now! I love the concept of mermaids and would really like to see if it's my type of thing. This book has had great reviews and the synopsis sounds great so I will definetly be trying to get this book as a spring read... hopefully!

10) Delirium by Lauren Oliver
Yet again, another book with great reviews! Dystopia is becoming one of my favourite genres, along with romance, so this seems perfect!

I think I need to start saving money now if I want to buy all of these books... and more! What about you? What are your Top Ten Books on Your Spring TBR List? Leave a link below and I'll pop by!

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo

Giveaway Winners!

Hello all! Yup, the time has come for me to announce the winners of the 100 Followers Giveaway! There was such a big turn-out for this giveaway I feel bad that I can't give books to all of you... Well, without further-a-do let me annouce the two lucky winners of this giveaway!

The winner of Prize Pack #1 (a book of your choice up to £8 from either The Book Depository or Amazon UK) is...

**Kah_cherub**

The winner of Prize Pack #2 (Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi and The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter) is...

**Berenice**CONGRATS to both of you! Please reply to my emails within three days or you will have to forfeit the prizes to another participant, thank you! =]

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo