Teaser Tuesday

Tryion shrugged. "He knows that your son's short reign has been a long parade of follies and disasters. That suggests that someone is giving Joffrey some very bad counsel."

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin

A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin

A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin

I watched the TV series about two months ago. Hadn't actually realized it was a book series until a month ago when a friend started chatting about it. She loved the books and said they were a fantastic read. While there was to much adult stuff in the TV series for me I decided to give the books a try. The first thing I will note is how well the series stuck to the book. They added a bit more sex for sure but overall it was dead on. I am actually really glad they turned it into a TV series instead of a movie. Because a movie never includes everything and with a book like this you would totally not understand what was going on.

I really enjoyed the first book. Though because I had seen the TV Series and they both are extremely close I felt like I already knew the story and just wanted to get onto the next chapter! So I am very excited about starting book two!

There are so many characters and perspectives in the book. My favorites were Daenerys Targaryen and Arya Stark. I definitely can not wait to read more about those two. Bran Stark, Jon Snow, and Tyrion Lannister are my next favorites. And really that's about all I can say. The ending was interesting and I want to know more about the Dragons.

Reading Challenges 2012

Time to set up Goals for next year's Reading!

First Challenge

is one I've made up. 

Due to budget restrictions

I am only allowed to buy 12 books in year 2012. 

That means I must work my butt off to gather books to read that are free.

that's one book per month. So I have to make it worth it.
Last year I bought

1. If you have to Cry Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone
2. 1984 by George Owell
3. Black Bulter Vol 1 by Yana Toboso
4. Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers
5. Black Bulter Vol 2 by Yana Toboso
6. Romeo X Juliet Omnibus by GONZO, William Shakespeare, COM
7. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith
8. Shimmer by Alyson Noel
9. Wither by Lauren DeStafano
10. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
11. Black Butler Vol 3 by Yana Toboso
12. Black Butler Vol 4 by Yana Toboso
13. Torment by Lauren Kate
14. Sandstorm by James Rollins
15. Black Butler Vol 5 by Yana Toboso
16. Black Butler Vol 6 by Yana Toboso
17. Hamlet And Ophelia by John Marsden
18. Jane by April Lindner
19. Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill
20. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

EDIT: My goal is to buy an amazon kindle. As much as I hate to buy a kindle of all things (it's almost worse than apple products!) I like the amazon price tag of ninety-nine cent books! How can you bet that. Please I can get thirty of those with my spending money! Pretty awesome. So books I buy for that amount don't actually count but only if I do get the kindle and I'm not sure when that will happen.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

I think my favorite part of this book was when Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter name their book. I also wish that they had stuck to the cover described in the book. I thnk it would make so much more meaning than little birdies.

While I have always been interesting in this book. I usually read paranormal, fantasy, or history. Fab Flier Girl booked this book out for book club which is tonight. And I am super curious as to what peoples opinions are.

This book is hardcore and hit's issues on the head all while starting light and nice to read. I love the characters! I can't decided which one of the three I like best. But I do know that if it had been me I hope I would have the strength these women had.

I recommend reading it. Definitely a good one. I am very much looking forward to a night out and book club!

Hollowland by Amanda Hocking

ZOMBIES… bah do I ever not like Zombies. However I do like bad ass girls kicking Zombie BUTT! Most Zombie stories I notice follow the same trend. Deathly virus turns everyone into virus, heroin saves the world finds a cure or is the cure all while managing to wear a little white tank top never get dirty. In Hollowed that is not the case; the only thing in the world that Remy wants is to make sure her brother is okay. Her whole point of survival is to find him and make sure he survives. You don’t find out why until the end and that part isn’t even that important.

I enjoyed how all the characters come together as a group. The sadness that Remy and Harlow feel at the loss of their friend and yet the ability to leave her behind, I won’t call that a strength, because I want to say it was bad to leave her behind, but the reasons for doing so are pretty understandable I suppose. I also enjoy how it was insta love between Lazlo and Remy. Oh and Remy notices other boys, that was a nice change. Most books, once there’s a potential guy the female heroin is done and it’s crap like Twilight all over again.

My favorite character is Ripley! She was the best! I want to see more of her in the next book!

Received through Twitter!

Desperate Measures (A Regency Short Story) by Candice Hern

Free E-Book through the EReader store.

I know short story week is over, but I found this one and I decided to read it.

Desperate Measures is a short story less than 10,000 words that is so wonderful in cute I'll read it again! It was a light and fun read that was not at all what I was expecting. I didn't read the synopsis and thought the book would be about Bunnies and possible Zombies and lots of blood and gore. And that couldn't be further from the truth.

Synopsis

"Lydia Bettridge is a young woman suffering the pangs of unrequited love. To capture the attention of Geoffrey Danforth, the man who has stolen her heart but barely notices her, she has resorted to desperate measures with a seemingly clever plan. By engaging the help of Phillip, a friend of her brother's, to play the love-smitten fool in public, she hopes to pique the interest of her unnamed love. But when Geoffrey himself shows up to take Phillip's place, all her careful planning is turned upside down. What's a girl to do but to make the best of it?

I actually really like reading short stories. It is nice to just quickly read something on the train to work and than be finished it when I get there. Because I hate it when I am reading away and I miss my stop or I have to work and can't just read! :)

Hope your having a Great Saturday!!

Cloud Prophet Trilogy by Megg Jensen

Book #1 - Anathema 
Thank goodness for twitter, I found this book free through twitter on Amazon Kindle. And while once again I don't have a kindle, I have the app on my phone and can read away. Which is semi a bad thing as my phone can be out at work.

So a couple mornings ago I found out about Anathema. Read the synopsis out-loud to a fellow co-worker who followed suit and immediately downloaded!

The synopsis was true, this definitely was a good read! I love the cover her eyes are perfect. I also enjoyed how some things were very prominent in the slaves lives. For example their shaved heads.

Ivy and Mark were a surprise I didn't expect any of that. Once I figured out the truth behind Ivy, I am surprised by her patience and her cunningness. Tiana was my favorite character. and read it!

In Her Name: Empire by Michael R. Hicks

Another Twitter find.

In the first book of an epic futuristic fantasy trilogy, this is the story of Reza Gard, a young boy of the Human Confederation who is swept up in the century-long war with the alien Kreelan Empire. Nightmarish female warriors with blue skin, fangs, and razor sharp talons, the Kreelans have technology that is millennia beyond that of the Confederation, yet they seek out close combat with sword and claw, fighting and dying to honor their god-like Empress. Captured and enslaved, Reza must live like his enemies in a grand experiment to see if humans have souls, and if one may be the key to unlocking an ages old curse upon the Kreelan race. Enduring the brutal conditions of Kreelan life, Reza and a young warrior named Esah-Zhurah find themselves bound together by fate and a prophecy foretold millennia before they were born

It has been a couple hours since I finished this book. And to be honest I am not really sure what to say... I have a few points

- what a fantastic story
- glad there was only one adult alien scene... and it was actually built into the story really well
- Pan'ne Sharakh reminds me of Yoda
- I wish I could see the gift Reza gives Esah-Zurah
- when can I get the next book
- not a fan of the cover, while yes they fight I found have rather have seen one of the collars they wear than a sword.
- I hope the next book goes into what Nicole goes through
- and I really want to know how old Reza was at the end of the book and how the alien cycles compare to the human years. I think it said it once but I have forgotten and now I can not find that part back
- why or why does that Amazon Kindle app not have a bookmark option!

Waiting on Wednesday

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.
Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.
Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.
Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.
Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love

Release Date: 2012....

Teaser Tuesday

"When you come in here and pick up one of these," he gestured at Hamlet, "or even watch one of the crappy holos out in the main room, you're not just an orphaned kid marooned on a dustbowl planet anymore, with no more rights than any slave might have. It's a way out of here. You're a hero, or a villian, or anything else you could imagine, and a lot of things you probably can't. Every time you turn a page you can go somewhere, even someplace that's never been. But anywhere you go is somewhere far away from here."

In Her Name: Empire by Michael R Hicks
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

Short Story Reading Week

And so concludes our short story reading week. I am quite happy with the 5 stories I managed to read. I have one more. But I won't be including it as the week is officially over today.

1. A Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail (NetGalley)
2. This Winter Heart by PG Forte (NetGalley)
3. Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz (NetGalley)
4. Far From Broken by JK Coi  (NetGalley)
5. 19 by Aaron Patterson (Twitter Find)

I also did a

Waiting on Wednesday post and a Teaser Tuesday Post.

Happy Monday!

Short Story Reading Week

This story is not part of A Clockwork Christmas. Its a separate short story I found, through twitter.

19 by Aaron Patterson
Release Date:July 14th 2010 

Publisher: StoneHouse Ink

Received from: Twitter

"Roses are red, violets are blue, believe it or not, this story is true"

This story isn't true but very superstitions, 

if that makes sense. 

Its based solely on superstitions, number, smells, and a nurse. 

The nurse is an interesting twist.

Such a sad story, to much emotion. I have yet to decide if I like it or not. Its almost too sad to say I like it. 

Short Story Reading Week

A Clockwork Christmas
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Received from: NetGalley

Short Story #4

Far From Broken by JK Coi

so out of all the lovely covers that have come with A Clockwork Christmas this is my least favorite one. It's all because of the eye patch. In the story Callie doesn't wear one. In fact the author makes a note of mentioning the fact that eye patches give her headaches.

I was completely satisfied with all the other stories and their endings. This one, I most certainly want more. I want to see how Jasper and Callie do missions together, I think that would be an interesting story, especially seeing as Jasper just saved the Colonel.

Short Story Reading Week

A Clockwork Christmas
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Received from: NetGalley

Short Story #3

Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz

I really didn't like the story when I started it

but then it got good

really good. And I wanted more

and then it ended.

It's called a short story,

you should read it

P.S.

you would think with the title it would be very adult.

But so far out of the 3 short stories this is the only one that wasn't naughty.

I must say it was refreshing

P.S.S

And I simply LOVE the cover!!

Short Story Reading Week

A Clockwork Christmas
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Received from: NetGalley

Short Story #2
This Winter Heart by PG Forte
I quite and enjoyed the pace of this story until the last ten pages and then it went all to quickly.
The story itself was super cute
but I wish we could have known more about Ophelia, her father, and the beginning of her life.
As well as more details as to why her father told her husband what he did.
It's like a movie where you don't get all the details you would like
but just enough to make you fall for the story and enjoy every part of it.

Happy Reading!

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday Special - Short Story Week

A Clockwork Christmas by Stacy Gail, PG Forte, Jenny Schwartz, J.K. Coi
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Received from: NetGalley

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas
Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

Short Story #1 - Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail Review

Teaser Tuesday Short Story #2 - This Winter Heart

Teaser Tuesday

"In every winter's heart,there is a quivering spring,
and behind the veil of each night,
there is a smiling dawn."

Quote at the beginning of Short Story #2 This Winter Heart by PG Forte
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

Short Story Reading Week

A Clockwork Christmas
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Received from: NetGalley

Short Story # 1

Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail

This is definitely not a young adult story.

I simple love the title of the short story. I really like the cover too, but I think I would have been much happier if there had been more focus on the Corset. Though I really like the timepiece part. 

I love how the two characters give themselves names to keep distance. Peabody and Coddington. The name Peabody alone gave me a good laugh. I enjoy the second bath scene, which is strange for me because it's very ADULT. 

The only part of the book I didn't like was the first bath scene. That part actually annoyed me.

I would love to see how the children, come through the story. If they are educated, or even if they show. I very much enjoyed the story. 

Rating: 5

Short Story Reading Week

 This week I am going to be reviewing four short stories. They can be found in one book called

A Clockwork Christmas
Release Date: December 5, 2011
Publisher: Carina Press
Received from: NetGalley

We Wish You a Steampunk Christmas

Changed forever after tragedy, a woman must draw strength from her husband's love. A man learns that love isn't always what you expect. A thief steals the heart of a vengeful professor. And an American inventor finds love Down Under. Enjoy Victorian Christmas with a clockwork twist in these four steampunk novellas.

1. Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail

2. This Winter Heart by PG Forte

3. Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz

4. Far From Broken by JK Coi

I will still be posting a Teaser Tuesday and a Waiting on Wednesday post. But I have decided to review each story individually and count each on towards my Main Reading Goal.

Stay Tuned

A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf

Release Date: June 14, 2011
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Cover Thoughts: I am actually not a fan of the cover. Especially when on Esther's first day in the Haren she is told to never wear green.
Review: Sometimes you are just blessed with reading many wonderful books in a row. And with the exception of one the last like 10 books have been wonderful.
This story did not disappoint. I very much enjoyed Joan Wolf's take on the bible story I studied many times as a child. Even though I have studied Esther, I feel like I have always heard of her from a males perspective and not from the thoughts of a woman. I can not imagine the pain Mordecai must have felt at having to hand over his sisters only child to a man who did not live the same way.

Other thoughts..
sometime I wish we heard about the side characters. For example what happened to Vashti? Or Abraham? Or even Esther's hand servants.

Must Have

I must thank the Hob for telling me about this book and I can not believe that I did not know about it before! I am disappointed in myself as die-hard fan.

The Girl Who Was on Fire: Your Favorite Authors on Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games Trilogy

Katniss Everdeen’s adventures may have come to an end, but her story continues to blaze in the hearts of millions worldwide.
In The Girl Who Was on Fire, thirteen YA authors take you back to Panem with moving, dark, and funny pieces on Katniss, the Games, Gale and Peeta, reality TV, survival, and more. From the trilogy's darker themes of violence and social control to fashion and weaponry, the collection's exploration of the Hunger Games reveals exactly how rich, and how perilous, protagonist Katniss’ world really is.
• How does the way the Games affect the brain explain Haymitch’s drinking, Annie’s distraction, and Wiress’ speech problems?
• What does the rebellion have in common with the War on Terror?
• Why isn’t the answer to “Peeta or Gale?” as interesting as the question itself?
• What should Panem have learned from the fates of other hedonistic societies throughout history and what can we?
The Girl Who Was On Fire covers all three books in the Hunger Games trilogy.

The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak

Release Date: January 1, 2012
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, Bantam
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 2
Cover Thoughts: I wish the descriptions of the dresses was as nice as the cover. And the cover isn't all that brilliant.
Review: I am finding it hard to review this book. I didn't really like the format it was written in. It was like reading the main characters diary but didn't always run smoothly.

I enjoy about the first 100 pages but then I got very bored and struggled through until the last 50. I just kept wishing it got better.

The description of the 1000 dresses could have been so vibrant and wonderful, but they fell flat for me. Actually I felt that way with all the descriptions.

I think that this one just wasn't my type of book. If you like heavy historical I would recommend it but I like fluffy historical... if that makes sense.

Waiting on Wednesday

Calder White lives in the cold, clear waters of Lake Superior, the only brother in a family of murderous mermaids. To survive, Calder and his sisters prey on humans, killing them to absorb their energy. But this summer the underwater clan targets Jason Hancock out of pure revenge. They blame Hancock for their mother's death and have been waiting a long time for him to return to his family's homestead on the lake. Hancock has a fear of water, so to lure him in, Calder sets out to seduce Hancock's daughter, Lily. Easy enough—especially as Calder has lots of practice using his irresistible good looks and charm on unsuspecting girls. Only this time Calder screws everything up: he falls for Lily—just as Lily starts to suspect that there's more to the monsters-in-the-lake legends than she ever imagined. And just as his sisters are losing patience with him.

Release Date: June 12, 2012

Sweets and Hearts

October

OMG I READ SO MANY BOOKS!!! :) I am VERY Excited about this Seriously!!
1. Jane by April Lindner (OWN)
2. Water by Bapsi Sidhwa (OWN)
3. God's Eye by A.J. Scudiere (NetGalley)
4. Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill (OWN)
5. Jenny Pox (The Paranormals #1) by J.L. Bryan (Free Download)
6. Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann (OWN)
7. Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber (NetGalley)
8. Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel (NetGalley)
9. The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice (NetGalley)
10. Spellbound: The Awakening of Aislin Collins by Margeaux Laurent (OWN)
11. Two Mood Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban (NetGalley)

This month I finished off YA Historical Fiction Challenge! Goal was 5 I read 7!!

I also finished off the 24 Free Books Challenge. I remember at the beginning of the year how hard I thought this challenge was gonna be! But it's the beginning of November I have read 27 free books and my goal was 24!! That is pretty fantastic to me!

I am also at 76 books! That's only 27 books left before reaching my biggest goal yet! Fingers crossed