1000 Blog Followers Giveaway!

21st Century Once Upon A Times has reached 1000 FOLLOWERS!

Is this the real life is this just fantasy?! 

When I started this blog back in 2011 I never would have dreamed that over 1000 beautiful bookworms would want to listen to me rant/fangirl/swoon over books. 

I was a high school book nerd to be honest I still am a book nerd just a university attending one! who thought the highest praise you could give a book was calling it 'Austentatious' because Jane Austen was - and is! - Queen of All. My reviews were never organised or edited. Instead they were filled to the brim with my every reaction, thought, and lots and lots of fangirling!

Looking back at my first ever review (please forgive my 2011 love for typewriter fonts!) I can't help but feel a wave of compassion for every single person I've met along my journey. Because that first review could have been my only review if not for the constant support, love, and friendship you all have so generously offered me over the years.

Every comment, every kind message, every book recommendation - even every simple 'hello!' that's been sent my way - has found a place in my heart. I can't express in words what you all mean to me. There have been days when I've felt low and alone, but all I've had to do is visit online with you all to get a smile back on my face. This blog wouldn't be what it is without all of you.

So to all of you - followers, bookworms, fellow bloggers, authors, publishers, and fictional book characters - I just wanted to offer my love and deepest thanks. You all rock!

To thank you all I have four giveaways for you to enter below!

These giveaways were made possible by authors whom I've worked with closely over the years and whom I am happy to count amongst my closest friends. There are both international and US only giveaways so everyone has a chance at winning!

♥  Enjoy the giveaways and thank you so much again for making my dream possible ♥

Dream of Me by A. Star ~ Blog Tour + Review

There's no turning back with A. Star's latest book Dream of Me...

So make a wish and let's get started!

The Dream of Me by A. Star Blog Tour is bringing you all the info you need about this new steampunk romance + a wonderful giveaway.

Read on to find out more + my review of the book!

The Girl’s Guide to the Apocalypse by Daphne Lamb ~ Blog Tour + Review

Welcome to the Apocalypse, bookworms!

The Girl’s Guide to the Apocalypse by Daphne Lamb Blog Tour is here to take you through 'Apocalypse Survival 101'. So strap on your seat-belts and look out for cannibals... 

As you may recall I've previously confessed how extremely slim my chance of surviving an actual apocalypse would be. Well TGGttA's main protagonist Verdell seems to have very similar odds stacked against her and is not your first choice for an apocalypse survivor or an actual contestant on Survivor. 

But Verdell is determined to survive as she journeys deeper into a world of hidden dangers, new threats, and plenty of awkward conversations.

Read on for more info on the book, my review + a great giveaway!

He Will Be My Ruin by K.A. Tucker ~ Prologue & Chapter One Reveal

I am absolutely thrilled to be able to bring you the Prologue and Chapter 1 Reveal for K.A. Tucker’s He Will Be My Ruin! 

He Will Be My Ruin is a romantic suspense novel, published by Atria books, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, and is set to be released February 2, 2016.

About the book

The USA TODAY bestselling author of the Ten Tiny Breaths and Burying Water series makes her suspense debut with this sexy, heartpounding story of a young woman determined to find justice after her best friend’s death, a story pulsing with the “intense, hot, emotional” (Colleen Hoover) writing that exhilarates her legions of fans. 

A woman who almost had it all . . . 

On the surface, Celine Gonzalez had everything a twenty-eight-year-old woman could want: a one-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, a job that (mostly) paid the bills, and an acceptance letter to the prestigious Hollingsworth Institute of Art, where she would finally live out her dream of becoming an antiques appraiser for a major auction house. All she had worked so hard to achieve was finally within her reach. So why would she kill herself?

A man who was supposed to be her salvation . . .

Maggie Sparkes arrives in New York City to pack up what’s left of her best friend’s belongings after a suicide that has left everyone stunned. The police have deemed the evidence conclusive: Celine got into bed, downed a lethal cocktail of pills and vodka, and never woke up. But when Maggie discovers a scandalous photograph in a lock box hidden in Celine’s apartment, she begins asking questions. Questions about the man Celine fell in love with. The man she never told anyone about, not even Maggie. The man Celine believed would change her life.

Until he became her ruin. 

On the hunt for evidence that will force the police to reopen the case, Maggie uncovers more than she bargained for about Celine’s private life—and inadvertently puts herself on the radar of a killer. A killer who will stop at nothing to keep his crimes undiscovered.

Preorder Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | IndieBound | Book Depository | Audible

The Turning Point by Marie Meyer ~ Review

Q: Did I spend a good half hour deciding which picture of Capri, Italy to use in the above image?

A: Yes, yes I did and I am PROUD OF IT.

That's just the kind of Italy-and-gelato-related obsessive streak The Turning Point by Marie Meyer ignites within you. One minute you're happily sitting down with a new book...and the next you're Googling hotels in Italy, flight timetables, and where the closest gelato shop from the Naples airport is.

Read on for my thoughts + a sneak peek into this great book!

Chasing Midnight by Courtney King Walker Blog Tour ~ Review + Author Interview

Today is all about the new YA romance novel I can't bear to put down...Chasing Midnight by Courtney King Walker!

On my blog's stop for the Chasing Midnight Blog Tour I've got a great line up for you all: my review of the book, an interview with its lovely author + a fantastic giveaway.

So let's get started!

About the book

WISH LIST
1. The biggest, fanciest house on Sea View Drive.
2. Nike Flyknits.
3. A ski-jump nose.
4. My own car. A new BMW.
5. Be a total pro at the piano.
6. James Odera to like me. Be James Odera’s girlfriend.
7. Get Spencer’s lungs fixed.

Mackenzie Love dreams of being a “lucky one”—someone who has the perfect life. Someone who doesn’t have to worry about money, a sick brother, or her high school status. So when a mysterious visitor offers to make all her wishes come true, Mackenzie jumps at the chance. 

But the royal lifestyle may cost more than Mackenzie is willing to pay in this modern twist on the classic Cinderella story.

Grab Chasing Midnight today: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

My Review

A big thank you to Jen Halligan PR and Courtney King Walker for the review copy of this book.

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the following review are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Rating: 

Quick Picks ~ 3 Thrilling Reads For The Week

This last week has been filled with noteworthy reads, making it very hard to pick just three! 

But I think I've successfully managed to come up with a list of books that will intrigue you, entertain you, and above all have you falling in love with their worlds and characters. I know I enjoyed them immensely - so I hope you do too!

So without further ado, let's get listing...

Poison by Lan Chan ~ Blog Tour + Review

I am so excited to be one of the hosts of the Poison by Lan Chan Blog Tour!

Poison is a novel you are not going to want to put down...at all...ever. 

The feel of the novel is a cross between Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games and Sharon Gosling's The Diamond Thief, plus a whole lot of unique and awe-inspiring elements that Lan Chan weaves together using her storytelling magic. 

Gritty dystopia and rebellion meets the highs and lows of circus performance in a novel that will honestly hold on to both your attention and your heart. I could go on singing this book's praises for days!

Read on for more info on the book, plus my review + a great giveaway!

About the book

Title: Poison (Wind Dancer #1)
Author: Lan Chan    
Publication date: September 1st 2015 
Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult


Since the night her mother was murdered, sixteen-year-old Rory Gray has known one truth: There are no good Seeders.

In post-apocalyptic Australia, the scientists known as Seeders have built a Citadel surrounded by food-producing regions and populated with refugees from the wars and famine. To maintain their control, the Seeders poisoned the land and outlawed the saving of seeds.

It’s been six years since Rory graced the Seeders’ circus stage as the Wind Dancer and still the scars on her body haven’t healed. Even worse are the scars on her heart, left by a Seeder boy who promised to protect her.

Now the Seeders are withholding supplies from Rory’s region for perceived disobedience. Utilising the Wanderer knowledge she received from her mother, Rory must journey to the Citadel through uninhabitable terrain to plead for mercy.

However, the Citadel isn’t as Rory remembered. The chief plant geneticist is dying and rumours fly that the store of viable seed is dwindling. The Seeders are desperate to find a seed bank they believe Rory can locate, and they will stop at nothing to get it.

To defy the Seeders means death. But Rory has been close to death before--this time she’s learned the value of poison.

Recommended for fans of The Hunger Games, strong protagonists, circuses and nature!

Add to your Goodreads bookshelf today!

My Review

A big thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Lan Chan for the review copy of this book.

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the following review are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.

Rating: 

Spring 2016 Penguin Teen Preview Sampler ~ ARC Review

Get a sneak peek at Spring 2016's hottest books! 

Penguin Teen's preview sampler provides sneak peeks into some of the best upcoming Spring 2016 reads, including: 

THE DARK DAYS CLUB by Alison Goodman

SALT TO THE SEA by Ruta Sepetys

REBEL OF THE SANDS by Alwyn Hamilton

WINK POPPY MIDNIGHT by April Genevieve Tucholke

THE PASSION OF DOLSSA by Julie Berry

 

I was lucky enough to get the chance to review this sampler via Netgalley, and was truly over the moon with the selection! 

No one book outshone the rest, rather each book created its own unique spotlight - each story was carefully constructed with elements that made it unique and a joy to read.

Read on for my thoughts on the upcoming releases + sneak peeks! 

Sky Ghosts: All for One by Alexandra Engellmann ~ Review

A big thank you to Alexandra Engellmann for submitting this book for review.

Although I was provided with a review copy by the author and/or publisher, all opinions expressed in the following review are purely my own. To find out more, please visit my disclaimer page.


As soon as I read the book's tagline 'The Avengers meets Shadowhunters' I knew I had to give it a try!

I was immediately intrigued by the book's foundation concepts - the idea of an elite group of gifted warriors called the Sky Ghosts who protected the city from the Sky Beasts.

Also...any book featuring badass women who fight with katanas is already off to a great start.



However, although the concepts were fresh and exciting there were times where I felt they should have been further explained and explored. The overall cohesiveness of the piece could have been improved upon.

Read on for the rest of my thoughts + a sneak peek into the book!

A Season to Love by Nicole Deese ~ ARC Review

Nicole Deese is the Queen of Clean Romance.

Her stories are always full of beautiful words to live by, characters that will wrap themselves around your heart, and romances that will sweep you off your feet. A Season to Love is another win for Ms. Deese and one of my personal favourites.

Read on for my thoughts + a sneak peek into the book!