Books I've Read

Swets and Hearts

2012-01-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

January (GOAL 10 books)
1. Replication by Jill Williamson (NetGalley)
2. The Poison Diaries, (part one mini review) by Maryrose Wood (EReader)
3. Entwined by Heather Dixon (EReader)
4. Alias Dragonfly by Jane Singer (Kindle)
5. The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kade Cross (Kindle)
6. Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (Co-worker)
7. Another Jekyll, Another Hyde (#3 Another Series) by Daniel Nayeri, Dina Nayeri (EReader)
8. Double Dare by Rhonda Nelson (Kindle)
9. The Emerald Talisman (Talisman #1) by Brenda Pandos (Kindle)
10. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey (Kindle)
11. The Shunning by Beverly Lewis (OWN)
12. The Missing by Beverly Lewis (OWN)
13. The Soulkeepers y G.P. Ching (Kindle)

I BET MY GOAL OF TEN BOOKS!! That is pretty awesome!

On the bad side though... I bough The Shunning and The Missing plus three other books. Technically the sale I got them on it was buy one get one free (and they were 9 BUCKS!) and the five was for $2.99. so it doesn't count, right?

right???

:)

Mr. thinks it counts as seven... I told him he was gonna fail math at this rate!

The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching

2012-01-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, did a post December 30 called EBook Deals! Through that I found

The Soulkeepers by G.P. Ching

The beginning of this books is very dramatic, I almost stopped reading because it was graphic and I am not a fan of death or the like. But it was well done.

Christianity and fantasy is an interesting combination. Usually I don't mind the mix (my favorite books is the Chronicles of Narnia), but when it's done in this time frame, it just didn't work. The world Jacob lives in is the same as the one I live in, so adding fantasy characters just felt unrealistic. Yet at the sametime I enjoyed the story.

I find it hard to believe this is a series, it felt very complete at the end. But I can't write a review like the one I found on Amazon read the one by Laura!

The Missing by Beverly Lewis

2012-01-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

I grabbed The Missing by Beverly Lewis originally thinking it was the second book the Shunning. However I have discovered it is not and I have never actually read this book before. It is the second book of another series called the Seasons of Grace by Lewis. So I started reading this series feeling like I was missing out half the story, turns out I was.

That said, the story of young Grace is still really good. Though I loved Heather's part of it and I enjoyed the ending! (also makes me glad that I grabbed the third book of this series)

I hope the first book is all about Grace's mother cause that would be a fascinating story!

The only real thing I noted down while reading the story is. That at first I like Becky but then I started to realize that all she cared about was being courted and getting married. That she didn't really care or try to understand her friends circumstances. But even that was eventually cleared up.

The thing I like about Lewis' books is that things are always wrapped up by the ending, unlike allot of books now-a-days.

The Shunning by Beverly Lewis

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have come to the realization that I need to come to terms with my past. I need to put behind me, my anger and discover what I feel about my parents god and changing beliefs. And to do that I need to study and have a better understanding of the things I was taught. Allot of the things I was taught I have choosen to forget or remove from my memory and now I will be slowly investigating those memories. I can't quite dive in and start with reading the bible, but I will get there one day, hopefully as my anger changes to understanding. I might not understand their reasoning but I want to understand... the logic I suppose.

To start this journey, I have picked up many of the heavy christian books I read as a child/teenager. Starting with one story that has been in the back of my head for years. The story of Katie Lapp in The Shunning by Beverly Lewis.

While I didn't fully grow up in a community like Katie, I did spend many of my years in a similar culture. And I remember reading this book, thinking about how I would one day get out and be free. I can still very much relate to Katie now, but I am more curious about the woman she becomes than who she was before. I hope the next book explores that.

My favorite line in the entire book was yesterday's teaser tuesday! But I am posting it again because it's just entertaining

"Besides, he'd probably gotten himself invited to a Mennonite Bible study or prayer meeting somewhere. The Mennonites were known for seeking out the truths of God's Word and many of them ended up becoming missionaries.
At the time, Katie figured Dan had encountered some Bible-thumpers, that was all. But she hoped he'd be careful about his affiliation with outsiders. Especially Mennonites"

said like missionaries are a bad thing! :)

I think John Beiler doesn't actually want Katie for Katie. The first time you read from his perspective he is thinking about sleeping with her, not pure Amish thoughts. He thinks nothing of her feelings or how she thinks only of his own satisfaction and his children having a mother. I think that even in the end, when they speak their last words he is still thinking of only his pleasure and not what she feels. A man should at least listen, even if they don't agree.

"Marrying John Beiler-putting him first-maybe that was the answer. Maybe that was why Mary had insisted that this marriage was suppose to be"

gosh, maybe Mary should just marry John... though I must admit Mary has some spunk!

Elam was my least favorite character, rash stupid man, with no brains to think for himself.

"You must try and stay in Jesus. Elam's words echoed in her mind. But the logical side of her brain argued back. Did staying in Jesus require her to wear the kapp at all times? Must she wear her hair long and forever parted down the middle-squeexed into a bun. Was this the only way?

While I don't expect my reviews to make much sense while on my journey of discovery. It is nice to have a place to write things down.

Happy Wednesday!

Teaser Tuesday

2012-01-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

"Besides, he'd probably gotten himself invited to a Mennonite Bible study or prayer meeting somewhere. The Mennonites were known for seeking out the truths of God's Word and many of them ended up becoming missionaries.
At the time, Katie figured Dan had encountered some Bible-thumpers, that was all. But she hoped he'd be careful about his affiliation with outsiders. Especially Mennonites"

The Shunning by Beverly Lewis

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

2012-01-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, did a post December 30 called EBook Deals! Through that I found

Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey
Kindle edition - amazon free purchase

Now this was a great book. I enjoyed it so much more then the Emerald Talisman. I devoured it, couldn't get enough reading. There's a 1.5 book (their wedding!!) and a Ruling book! I am pretty excited about them and now I need to find them!

I think the thing that annoys me the most is the cover. You can't see Lucius face and her dress isn't like what I imagined. The dress described is so much more beautiful than what she is wearing in the cover.

What I liked most about the book is how Lucius talked about woman's confidence. And so the rest of this review is full of my favorite lines and quotes! (I recommend reading the book!)

"Don't ever again say that you are not 'valuable,' Antanasia. Or not beautiful. Or, for god's sake, 'fat.' When you get the urge to indulge in such ridiculous, misplaced self-criticism, remember yourself at this moment."

"I like pink."

Lucius sniffed. "It's just red's sorry, weak cousin."

Oh and there is so many other good lines. While the story might not be original or absolutely amazing I will definitely read again when I need a confidence boost in myself esteem. Sorry for the lame review!! Keep Reading though! :)

The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos

2012-01-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, did a post December 30 called EBook Deals! Through that I found

Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos
Kindle edition - amazon free purchase

I have yet to decide how I feel about this book.There were some great parts and there were some horrendous parts. Over all I think the horrendous wins over, yet I will still read the second one and other books by Brenda. I just don’t like the main character. Julia is an idiot, this guy just randomly appears at all major life events and then she forgets but doesn’t find it creep at all that he has been stalking her, since her mother’s death.

Points I do like:
Sam – Julia’s best friend. Actually I wished we saw more of her friends. They were great people and they would have made the story better.
Julia’s relationship with her Dad – that actually took me by surprise, how close they were and yet so far. If he was truly worried though why would he still be traveling?
The fortune teller and the cat – wish we had seen more of them. I think besides Julia’s friends they were one of the best pieces of the book and curiosity wants to know their story.

Points I struggled with
Feels like Julia is becoming another Bella. Obsessed with guys, no life without them, and no thinking about themselves.

“I could still feel his strong body carrying me up the hill, his touch when he brushed aside my hair, his tenderness and concern when I fought going to the emergency room. He ruined all future relationships for me because no one could compare. And the sad part was, in one small lifesaving gesture, he’d managed to capture my heart and he had no idea.” Insert eye roll here and come on get over yourself.

My favorite line in the book

“You know why the waves glow like that?” Phil said, breaking my spiraling thoughts. “It’s actually plankton. The waves break their bodies apart and they glow because of it. I’ve only seen it one other time before. It’s pretty rare.”

Double Dare by Rhonda Nelson

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, did a post December 30 called EBook Deals! Through that I found

Double Dare by Rhonda Nelson
Kindle edition - amazon free purchase
and I book that I would normally never read

I have to say I read this book in an hour, hour or so, not really sure as I was sneaking peeps at work. This is so not my usual type of book. A. it's an adult romance B. it's definitely adult. But it was such a good story, except the ending. After the last book this was the perfect light read. I could relate to Lou because I did pretty much that, except for the fact that Mr. and I lasted three weeks not 5 days. But that's more for my actual blog and not for my book blog.

I do have a few bones to pick with the book, for one I am not sure if it's because it's the kindle addition but sentences were missing words or letters that were important.

in pales that had never known a...

and that's not a typo
BUT my favorite paragraph is the following!

Until something amazing happened. Lou realized she was flying, seemingly weightless. She cracked an eye open and found herself no longer terrified. The euphoric feeling wrapped around her until Lou didn't want the jump to end. Exhilaration pulsed through her, tickled her nerves and made her laugh with giddy delight. She opened her arms and grinned until her face hurt, until she could seemingly feel every particle of night air embrace her. Oh, wow! No wonder Same had enjoyed this!This was...this was... amazing!"

Another Jekyll, Another Hyde (Another #3) by Daniel Nayeri, Dina Nayeri

2012-01-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

Release Date: March 13, 2012
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Cover Thoughts: Loved the eyes!!
Review: I always seem to do this. Pick up the third book in an awesome series. In this case though, while I feel like a miss whole lot with certain characters. The main character and the evil bad guy's story was written well and I didn't feel like I missed a thing by not reading the first to books.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, however if fault like there should be more horror. The ending was to neat and clean. I feel like the way things ended with Nicola Vileroy was disappointing. I wonder if by reading the first two books, if that would make me feel better about Nicola in the end. But I am not sure if it would be enough.

I did enjoy how things ended with Annie. Annie was one of my favorite characters, even though she was only a small part of the book. I very much enjoyed that when she was depressed she makes a massive meal and uses food colouring in all the food, in this case turning everything purple. It's an interesting idea!

Happy Reading

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

An elusive stalker is targeting Marlowe kids - and something unearthly has gotten into its wealthiest
student - as the Another series builds up to a fiendish finale.

When his billionaire father marries French governess Nicola Vileroy, high society is all abuzz - but Thomas, the most popular student at Marlowe, is just plain high. Ever since his girlfriend Belle dumped him, he's been spending less time with old friends and more time getting wasted at clubs. But after someone slips him a designer drug one night - and his stepmother seems to know way too much about his private life - things really start to get scary. As Thomas's blackouts give way to a sinister voice inside his head, and as news of a vicious hate crime has students on edge, Thomas comes to the sickening realization that Madame Vileroy has involved him in a horrifying supernatural plan. How can he muster the strength and will to stop it? The pulse-quickening climax revisits Jekyll and Hyde as a current-day cautionary tale laced with a heady dose of paranormal intrigue

Release Date March 13, 2012

Teaser Tuesday

2012-01-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

The owner of the poodle waved a casual apology and went back to his phone call. He couldn't have seen the hate in her right eye. Or the branded cross in her left

This is the third book in the Another Series by Daniel Nayeri, Dina Nayeri
Gotta get the first two but couldn't want! Had to start this one!

Born Wicked: The Cahill Witch Chronicles Book 1 by Jessica Spotswood book trailer

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

<br>v

Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

2012-01-15T10:28:00.002-07:00

For a moment, Eragon had the supremely disorienting experience of meeting himself. He immediately decided that he disliked how his hair curled at the temples.

A Great book should have great lines and this book did not disappoint. It has been almost two years since I started reading this series. The Inheritance series is just one of those you must read and I am not even sure what to say about it, now that I am reviewing it. I was annoyed when I originally went back to look at my reviews of book 1, 2, and 3 because I hadn't really including any details. But after finishing book 4 I understand why. There is just so much to the book, over 800 pages! So many spoilers and thoughts went through my head that I don't even know where to start.

I thought it might be hard jumping back into the story after such a long time, but the author realized it would be that way for many people and so he did a small refresher at the beginning.

Dragons are amazing creatures as are their riders. They explained in this book what happened at the change for Eragon and the reasoning behind it. I have difficult deciding who was my favorite character, and the ones I choose were slightly unexpected for me at least. Arya is lovely as always and I love the ending with her. Nasuada was amazing! I thought she was strong before, with the ending I am so happy for her! If things hadn't worked out that way for her I think I would have been slightly disappointed. Murtagh was so interesting and a complete surprise.

And so I remembered the movie... gah it was so disappointed when in representing the characters. Arya was not a blonde at least.

You should definitely read the series!! It's so good :)

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

2012-01-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, did a post December 30 called EBook Deals! Through that I found

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (Steampunk Chronicles, #0.5) by Kady Cross
Kindle Edition - amazon free purchase

The point five book to the Steampunk Chronicles which will bring us The Girl in the Steel Corset and The Girl in the Clockwork Collar, yesterdays waiting on Wednesday. We got a preview of Finley Jayne. It's a small book only 78 pages long, which isn't enough. I want to know what is inside our dear Finley.

The major thing I enjoyed about this book is that Kady Cross makes it extremely fast one moment she's jobless and close to homeless, next she's high society and squishing brains!

This makes me very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

P.S. I would very much love to see a drawing of her outfit

Then, she redressed in fresh bloomers, short skirt, blouse and leather corset. She laced up her sturdy black boots and shrugged into a black sweater to ward off the slight chill of the evening.

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him...for the life of the girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross
Release May 24, 2012

Teaser Tuesday

2012-01-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

As she lowered her bag to her side and walked toward the stairs to the street, Finley had to be serious long enough to realize that she hadn't been fired for striking the governess - Mrs. Brown struck the maids all the time. She'd been fired because there was something wrong with her.

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (The Steampunk Chronicles) by Kady Cross

Alias Dragonfly by Jane Singer

2012-01-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, did a post December 30 called EBook Deals! Through that I found

Alias Dragonfly by Jane Singer
for free :) through amazon anyways... this is my first book read on my new kindle!!

Fifteen years old. Wanted: Dead or Alive.
"Don't love a spy," warns fifteen-year-old Pinkerton agent Maddie Bradford, a lonely, rebellious outsider with a mind on fire and a photographic memory. It is 1861, the Civil War has just started and this motherless teen must move with her soldier-father from New Hampshire to Washington, DC-a city at war, packed cheek by jowl with soldiers, Rebel spies, slave catchers and traitors of all stripes bent on waging a war of destruction against the Union, and President Lincoln himself.
Maddie's journal, written in secret, of course, begins with her arrival at her aunt's DC boardinghouse through the first year of the Civil War, a time, as Maddie puts it, full of "dips and dangers," when she becomes a fearless Union spy. And then there is the mysterious, maddening Jake Whitestone, a young man who awakens something equally dangerous in Maddie: Love in a time of terror.
Civil War historian, author and lecturer Jane Singer brings her unique voice to Alias Dragonfly.

I have never read a book about the civil war. It was great reading about a woman/teenager I could understand with. To be raised in a time where women are taught that all they can do is bake bread and have babies, but to be that 1% that rebels against it. Maddie was very relateable and I loved her fierce. One part of me things that Maddie does have a gift, the other side says she is just very observant and motivated. She is a quick learner and has sent her life observing.

Maddie's aunt came out of nowhere, that really surprised me. But what I would really like to know is what happened to Nellie? I really enjoyed this story and just wanted to mentioned a few things. The writing was fantastic and the only time something really bothered me about the book is this sentence

"Don't leave go of me, Maddie."

The other this is I love the messaging system, how ingenious is it!

"Green. Stay away. Blue. Take message. Yellow. Watch our door. Red. Danger"

Now I wonder... does this count towards the Branching Out Reading Challenge? It's history, but about the civil war were usually I stick to Kings and Queens of England and the like.

Happy Reading

Entwined by Heather Dixon

2012-01-08T08:01:00.000-07:00

I also found this book through Facebook, the Epic Reads page and their Christmas offer of 99 cent books!I grabbed a few not just yesterdays!

Azalea flushed, remembering her manners. She curtsied and introduced them all, from herself - "Azalea Kathryn Wentworth, Princess Royale" - to Bramble, Clover, Delphinium, Evening Primrose, Flora, Goldenrod, Hollyhock, Ivy, Jessamine, Kale, and tiny Lily, now asleep on Clover's shoulder.

It's been two days since I've read Entwined by Heather Dixon and I still haven't come up with thoughts. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The descriptions of the dancing and the gowns!! OH I want to learn how to dance! and one day I am gonna make myself a gorgeous gown just because!

Entwined made it on Proud Book Nerd's Honorable Mentioned for top ten books of 2011. Her review is small to and makes a note of something that I was thinking but couldn't put my fingers on. The story of Entwined is very similar to the Grimm’s The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces (also known as The 12 Dancing Princesses) I have never read the Grimm's story so I don't know how similar they are. But now I am extremely curious and want to go and find it, to compare the two.

But beside that I really want to note that I loved the ending. How Azalea made peace with the king and how each sister found love, at least the oldest ones, even though it is a little scary that Azalea is only 17 and the rest are all younger than her. You can also really tell that the author Heather grew up with many siblings and that those siblings were her best friends growing up.

Happy Reading Monday!

Book Club

2012-01-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

I am hosting book club for the month of January... and I think I am crazy... here read the email I sent out to the fabulous group of ladies!

HELLO!!!

Hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and a great New Years!!!
I've been thinking about books and so... I think I've picked one for book club. I am pretty excited to be hosting. For dates I am thinking the 20th or 27th at like 7. Thoughts?? I work Tuesdays and Thursdays nights and run Monday's and Wednesday... so if a Friday doesn't work would a Saturday? Or late Monday???

For the book I had major trouble picking!! Remember Whither??? Well, the next book Fever doesn't come out until February so I couldn't pick that... and then I was thinking Amanda Hockings Trylle Trilogy book one Switched but it's not release in Canada yet! (Amanda's Hollowland is a good book BTW, even if it is about Zombies)

so... instead I have picked Maryrose Wood book called the Poison Diaries! You can read the first 60 pages or so here, and that should be enough to suck you in! And then if you have a kindle, nook, kodo, or whatever you can buy it from whatever your favorite website is through Epic Reads on FB for 99CENTS!!! (Chapters has it too!)

In the right dose, everything is a poison. Even love . . .
Jessamine Luxton has lived all her sixteen years in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle, with little company apart from the plants in her garden. Her father, Thomas, a feared and respected apothecary, has taught her much about the incredible powers of plants: that even the most innocent-looking weed can cure -- or kill.
When Jessamine begins to fall in love with a mysterious boy who claims to communicate with plants, she is drawn into the dangerous world of the poison garden in a way she never could have imagined . . .

Now the Poison Diaries is a very small book... so if you want we could read Entwined by Heather Dixon instead, which is also on Epic Reads for 99CENTS!

Azalea is trapped. Just when she should feel that everything is before her . . . beautiful gowns, dashing suitors, balls filled with dancing . . . it's taken away. All of it.
The Keeper understands. He's trapped, too, held for centuries within the walls of the palace. And so he extends an invitation.
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest.
But there is a cost.
The Keeper likes to keep things.
Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.

IT IS UP TO YOU!!! I am all about savings $$$ on books this year because Mr. put me on a budget and I can only buy 12 books in 2012!! Which is a challenge I have gladly accepted because he doesn't count 99CENT books (the silly guy...)!

TTYL
Namine

Yup pretty sure I am crazy ;)
P.S. the vote decided to read Poison Diaries see my review here! Book club date is set for the 20th!!

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood

2012-01-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

I found a deal through Facebook, which is rare, as I really dislike facebook. I thing called Epic Reads and they are offering a bunch of books for 99 cents! Of course I think this is a one time Christmas thing, but hey it is pretty awesome!!

Through them I found the full version of The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood, which I immediately devoured! How could I not after reading the first awesome sixty pages that I wrote about here.

The Poison Diaries is so full of innocence and wonder you just fall in love and then WHAM you get slammed with a complete game changer! I am very glad this is the first book in the series (just got to talk Mr. into letting me buy Nightshade now!). Side note, I am not a fan of the cover, in fact I really wish the cover was a garden like the website. I think it would have more meaning to it. Especially because I can't see Jessamine wearing a strapless dress.

so I am actually really wanting to read some of Maryrose Wood's other books, like How I found the Perfect Dress or What I Wore to Save the World, or Why I Let My Hair Grow Out. Such interesting titles. AND It's been very fun and interesting using Twitter to semi-chat with Maryrose, which is something I never expected. But this is allot of links and not much of a review.

My recommendation... READ IT. I am choosing it for book club. And my thoughts

- I don't understand why Thomas Luxton wouldn't let Jessamine accompany him on his journeys? What was the importance of her innocence. And while this is semi answered in the end, what is he really up to when he does leave?
- I don't really understand the explanation of the Poison Prince coming to Weed.
- I love love the descriptions of Weeds eyes and their long walks. It just sounds so peaceful
- Makes me wish I could keep at least one planet alive and healthy...
- Jessamine's mother, will we find out what happened to her? Could it be something similar to what happened to Jessamine?

Synopsis:

In the right dose, everything is a poison. Even love . . .
Jessamine Luxton has lived all her sixteen years in an isolated cottage near Alnwick Castle, with little company apart from the plants in her garden. Her father, Thomas, a feared and respected apothecary, has taught her much about the incredible powers of plants: that even the most innocent-looking weed can cure -- or kill.
When Jessamine begins to fall in love with a mysterious boy who claims to communicate with plants, she is drawn into the dangerous world of the poison garden in a way she never could have imagined . . .

Happy Friday!! Happy Reading!! Enjoy your weekend!

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson

2012-01-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

Release Date: January 1, 2011
Publisher: Zondervan
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Cover Thoughts: Intriguing
Review: I have only over read one other book about clones before. It was back in high school and my parents got very upset when they found it in my bag. I have always been interested in the subject and wanted to learn more, but have never really had the opportunity to do so.

Replication is a very interesting look at the topic of cloning. I usually hate anything that involves religion but in this book I feel it complimented the story until the very end.

I really enjoyed the story especially Martyr's character. I find it very sad that I actually know people who don't know things like Martyr doesn't. It is interesting watching Abby try to figure out how to explain things. Mentioning god was just such a part of her nature it didn't really feel forced, even though she totally rushed him into salvation. I don't think he truly understood what that meant.

This paragraph reminds me very much of Mr. and me, now that he is in school

"Dylan sighed as if tghe girl had said she couldn't figure out how to get her straw into her milk carton. 'Okay, Kylee. Listen closely this time. I'll make it as simple as possible.' He shook his hair out of his eyes. 'The theorem uses a definite integral instead of an indefinite one. So, if the function f of x is nonnegatice and continuous between the interval of a and b, you find the integral of that function by doing the antiderivative and plugging in the numbers of b and a respectively to get an exact number, as opposed to a general solution like you'd get from an indefinite integral.' "

did you understand that?? I sure have no idea, but I am glad it wasn't actually relavite to the story...

All in all I really enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend it. It's good for discussion.

Oh and I really liked the dicussion questions the Author provided at the end. For example

When Abby and JD are debating issues of pharmaceutical testing on humans, JD calls Abby a "religious type" and Abby surmises that JD is a "liberal extremist." How are such conclusions harmful to a healthy debate.

Happy Reading

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-01-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

When Your Life Is Not Your Own

Martyr---otherwise known as Jason 3:3---is one of hundreds of clones kept in a remote facility called Jason Farms. Told that he has been created to save humanity, Martyr has just one wish before he is scheduled to 'expire' in less than a month. To see the sky.

Abby Goyer may have just moved to Alaska, but she has a feeling something strange is going on at the farm where her father works. But even this smart, confident girl could never have imagined what lies beneath a simple barn. Or what would happen when a mysterious boy shows up at her door, asking about the stars.

As the reality of the Jason Experiment comes to light, Martyr is caught between two futures---the one for which he was produced and the one Abby believes God created him to have. Time is running out, and Martyr must decide if a life with Abby is worth leaving everything he's ever known.

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson
Release Date: January 1, 2012!!!!

Teaser Tuesday

2012-01-03T06:30:00.000-07:00

"I angered you. I shouldn't have ridden in the pocket of Dr. Goyer's car and come into his facility, but the snow was freezing my feet. The door was open, and I wanted to get warm."

Replication: The Jason Experiment by Jill Williamson

2011 Recap

2012-01-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

OMG it's 2012!! SO many new goals to be set! I am pretty excited! But here is a quick recap of 2011.

CHALLENGES! I signed up for 7 Challenges and completed 4 of them. The four I didn't completed I actually am okay with. I didn't feel like reading any classics, I forgot about the contempts, and I did make a HUGE effort towards Outdoing Myself!!

3 ReTold FairyTales (3/3 Books) COMPLETED
8 The Classics Challenge (1/8 books)
5 Books off the Shelve Challenge (9/5 books) COMPLETED
103 Books in a Year/Out Do Yourself (95/103 books)
5 YA Historical Fiction Challenge (7/5 books) COMPLETED
24 Free Books Challenge (27/24 books) COMPLETED
18 Contempts Challenge (2/18 books)

BOOKS READ in 2011!! 95 books is pretty good. And there was so many favorites. My favorites are the ones with pictures beside the month!!

January (8)
1. Lost Voices by Sarah Porter (NetGalley)
2. Here Lies Bridget by Paige Harbison (NetGalley)
3. Cinderella: Ninja Warrior by Maureen McGowan (NetGalley)
4. The Book of Spells by Kate Brian (Chapters)
5. If you have to Cry Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone (OWN)
6. 1984 by George Owell (OWN)
7. The short second life of bree tanner by Stephenie Meyer (Co-worker)
8. Black Bulter Vol 1 by Yana Toboso (OWN)

February (8)
1. Fall for Anything by Courtney Summers (OWN)
2. Black Bulter Vol 2 by Yana Toboso (OWN)
3. Romeo X Juliet Omnibus by GONZO, William Shakespeare, COM (OWN)
4. Songs of a Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult (OWN)
5. Tokyo Babylon, Volume 1 by CLAMP (borrowed)
6. Tokyo Babylon, Volume 2 by CLAMP (borrowed)
7. Tokyo Babylon, Volume 3 by CLAMP (borrowed)
8. Sleeping Beauty: Vampire Slayer by Maureen McGowan (NetGalley)

March (11)
1. Smuggled by Christina Shea (NetGalley)
2. Tokyo Babylon, Volume 4 and 5by CLAMP (borrowed)
3. Tokyo Babylon, Volume 6 and 7 by CLAMP (borrowed)
4. Fruits Basket, Volume 1 and 2 by Natsuki Takaya (borrowed)
5. Bumped by Megan McCafferty (NetGalley)
6. The Lightkeepers Ball by Colleen Coble (NetGalley)
7. The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter (NetGalley)
8. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith (OWN)
9. Fruits Basket, Volume 3 and 4 by Natsuki Takaya (borrowed)
10. Black Bird 1 thru 6 by Kanoko Sakurakoji (online)
11. Black Bird 7 to 26 by Kanoko Sakurakoji (online)

April (10)
1. Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar (NetGalley)
2. Target by Stella Cameron (OWN)
3. The Magician's Nephew C.S. Lewis (OWN)
4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (OWN)
5. The Horse and his Boy by C.S. Lewis (OWN)
6. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (OWN)
7. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis (OWN)
8. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis (OWN)
9. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis (OWN)
10. Steam and Sorcery by Cindy Spencer Pape (NetGalley)

May (5)
1. Shimmer by Alyson Noel (OWN)
2. Wither by Lauren DeStafano (OWN)
3. City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare (Co-Worker)
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (OWN)
5. The Twisted Thread by Charolette Bacon (NetGalley)

June (2)
1. The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell (NetGalley)
2. The Four Ms. Bradwells by Meg Waite Clayton (GIFT/OWN)

July (8)
1. Black Butler Vol 3 by Yana Toboso (OWN)
2. Black Butler Vol 4 by Yana Toboso (OWN)
3. Living with feet to big for a glass slipper by Lynne Tapper (publisher gift)
4. Torment by Lauren Kate (OWN)
5. Accidents of Providence by Stacia M. Brown (NetGalley)
6. Replay by Keira Lea (WON a copy/OWN)
7. The Legacy: A Novel by Katherine Webb (NetGalley)
8. Sandstorm by James Rollins (OWN)

August (7)
1. Black Butler Vol 5 by Yana Toboso (OWN)
2. Black Butler Vol 6 by Yana Toboso (OWN)
3. Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison (NetGalley)
4. The Mephisto Covenant by Trinity Faegan (NetGalley)
5. Passion by Lauren Kate (Co-Worker)
6. Black Bird 27-28 by Kanoko Sakurakoji (online)
7. Becoming Marie Antoinette (Marie Antoinette #1) by Juliet Grey (NetGalley)

September (6)

1. Fire by Kristin Cashore (GIFT)
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (GIFT)
3. Say Cheese, Medusa by Kate McMullan (NetGalley)
4. Complete Without Kids by Ellen L Walker (free download, not sure where I got it actually)
5. Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (NetGalley)
6. Hamlet And Ophelia by John Marsden (OWN)

October (11)
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 (Twitter Find)
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)

November (13)
1. The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak (NetGalley)
2. A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (NetGalley)
3. A Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail (NetGalley)
4. This Winter Heart by PG Forte (NetGalley)
5. Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz (NetGalley)
6. Far From Broken by JK Coi (NetGalley)
7. 19 by Aaron Patterson (Twitter Find)
8. In Her Name: Empire by Michael R. Hicks (Twitter Find)
9. Anathema by Megg Jensen (Twitter Find)
10. Desperate Measures (A Regency Short Story) by Candice Hern (Sony EReader Website)
11. Hollowland by Amanda Hocking (Twitter Find)
12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (OWN)
13. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin (EReader)

December
1. A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R.R. Martin (EReader)
2. Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) by Melissa de la Cruz (EReader)
3. Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) by Melissa de la Cruz (EReader)
4. The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters (NetGalley)
5. Desired by Ginger Garrett (NetGalley)
6. Pure by Julianna Baggott (NetGalley)

I read so many amazing books this year!!

Big Shoot out to

Proud Book Nerd for being so supportive!!!

NetGalley and publishers for allowing me to read and review so many wonderful books

Book Club Gals for making me think more

and all the wonderful book bloggers out there!!! Mission to Read, Bookish Brunette, In the Name of Books, and so many more.

THANK YOU

for making my 2011 a fabulous year!!

Here's to a fabulous 2012!

Sweets and Hearts

2011-12-31T06:30:00.000-07:00

December
1. A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R.R. Martin (EReader)
2. Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) by Melissa de la Cruz (EReader)
3. Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) by Melissa de la Cruz (EReader)
4. The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters (NetGalley)
5. Desired by Ginger Garrett (NetGalley)
6. Pure by Julianna Baggott (NetGalley)

Slower month but still not to bad!! I think that's pretty good for the month of Christmas Givings!!

Reading Challenges 2012

2011-12-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

I found out about this challenge VIA The Bookish Brunette. She listed many good resolutions. And I hope to do the same.

Butterfly-o-Meter Books is actually hosting this challenge.

- Runs: January 1 2012 - December 31 2012. You can sign up to participate at any time from the moment this is posted until the end of 2012, it's your set of resolutions, so have fun with it :D

- Challenge: think up your bookish list of resolutions for 2012, it can be anything related to bookish things (including completing other Challenges you're participating in as long as they're bookish-related)

My New Years Resolutions!

1. This is already a Challenge, buy only 12 actual books!

2. Read a genre I have never read before

3. Finish two Jane Austen books

4. Do a Teaser Tuesday Post every Tuesday.

5. Read all the books on my Waiting on Wednesday List for 2010 and 2011

6. Get a book signed!

7. Attend Word Fest 2012

Pure by Julianna Baggott

2011-12-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Release Date: February 8, 2012
Publisher: Grand Central
Received from: NetGalley
Rating:4
Cover Thoughts: LOVE!! That is what drew me to the book. Plus the cover has meaning and you learn that while reading the story. I love it when the cover connects with the story.
Synopsis:

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.
Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

Review: I am not sure how to review this book. I hated it but I loved it. The story was fantastic. I love Pressia and Partridge, they were great characters. I love that it wasn't a love story about teens. But I hated how horrible descriptive the book was on things I didn't want to have a description on. The Wrenches for example, I didn't want to know what they looked like my imagination was enough.
This book is pure horror movie. Actually they won't be allowed to make it into a movie. What happens to the Suburban moms and their kids and the guy and his dog or El Captain and his brother. If you don't like horror I won't recommend reading this one but if that's to your liking.
It was to much for me, but I just wanted to know what happens to Pressia and Partridge, so I kept reading. I love how their story comes together. I am so sad about their families. The twist at the end is when of this you knew it but you didn't know why and is really neatly put together.
I don't know if I would read book two. But I did enjoy every part of this book except the horrible descriptions, which is a first for me as I am usually craving better descriptions!

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . .
Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.

Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.

When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

Pure by Julianna Baggott
Release Date February 8, 2012

Teaser Tuesday

2011-12-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

The doll's eyes click shut: the hole within the pursed lips is dusted with ash as if the doll itself hasbeen breathing this air. She pulls a woolen sock from her pocket and covers the doll's head. She always covers it when she goes out.

Pure by Julianna Baggott

Desired by Ginger Garrett

2011-12-22T22:02:00.001-07:00

Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: David C Cook
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Cover Thoughts: muh
Review: What to say about Desired... I didn't like it but it was good. It was really good a great story and an interesting way to see Samson.
I loved the first part with Samson's first wife. Her story was my favorite and so sad. Her chooses in life were hard to make and I couldn't imagine being in that situation. I couldn't imagine the feeling of your parents selling you and pressures of knowing you must get a good price because you have no brothers for your parents to live off of.
Delilah left very much to be desired (which is ironic). Her story was good until she had a fight with another priestess and people died. I stopped enjoying the novel after that. Delilah acted like a spoiled rotten girl except that she didn't grow up that way. Understand her reasons for betrayal and the ending kind of made of for it, but not enough for me to say I loved the book.
There were some things in the story that bothered me, like Delilah's parents showing up in the end. I feel there was no need to mention that as that is all that was said.
I have been enjoying reading bible stories with imagination, I read Esther a month or so ago. They make me think about the things I learned as a kid and I kind of want to start looking into that and learning the truth again, but not in my parents way. If that makes sense...

Anyways it's almost Christmas! I don't think I will hit my reading goal! But it was fun trying! Happy Friday

Reading Challenges 2012

2011-12-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Mission to Read is hosting a Branch Out Reading Challenge. I like this Challenge because I feel like I read the same genres over and over again. Historically Fiction and Fantasy with a little bit of Steampunk in there. I am gonna try for Level 1 - Bud (which is 1-5 books). And try to read a few biography's and I don't know something else...

What genre do you think I read to much of?

What's a genre I should try?

Reading Challenges 2012

2011-12-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Found this challenge through The Bookish Brunette

Here is how it works:
* Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained FREE e-books. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
* Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage.
* The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime.
* e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.

Read the rest of the rules at The Unread Reader.

Level I am choosing - Penny Pincher: 24 Books

Sorta Waiting on Wednesday

2011-12-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

The book has already been release, but I am waiting to buy it!

Here is the ultimate guide to the twenty-four Tributes participating in Panem's 74th annual Hunger Games. Follow the Tributes' journey from the Reaping to the Games, with a look at all the highlights along the way--the Tribute Parade, the stations of the Training Center, the interviews, and more. Get exclusive information about the Tributes' strengths and weaknesses, their weapons of choice, and their experience in the Capitol before entering the arena.

Can't find it on goodreads! But all that really matters is that one day (fingers crossed on soon!) I get my hands on it!

The Poison Diaries by Maryrose Wood

2011-12-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

I found a Link that has the first 60 pages of the Poison Diaries. The first ten pages are enough to suck you in and make you want more and by the time you hit page 60 you are mad because it just ends… in mid-sentence!

So here I am reviewing the first 60 pages of a book. What do I have to say other than I really like it and definitely want more! I love the name Belladonna! And I am interested in googling it to find out if it is a real plant and if it is indeed poisonous. I want to know more about Thomas Luxton. What is he studying? Why is he hiding away his daughter? And what is he afraid of?

And lastly did Weed put something in the water?

Oh I need to read so many good stories… more on the Blue Blood Series, and the Song of Fire and Ice, and now I MUST find this book!!

Reading Challenges 2012

2011-12-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by thestorysiren.com.

CHALLENGE OBJECTIVE:
* To read & review a minimum of twelve young adult or middle grade debut novels between the dates of January 1, 2012 - January 31, 2013.
*The 2013 extension is so that December Debuts can be read and count toward the challenge.

RULES & GUIDELINES:
* You must have a Blog to post your reviews or be a member of Goodreads.
* Your blog must be written in English.
* Deadline to join is May 31, 2012.

BOOK GUIDELINES:
* Must be a young adult or middle grade title.
* Must be the author’s YA or MG debut, released in 2012.
* If an author has a previous novel published for adults or children, they can still qualify for the challenge.
* If an author has a previous YA or MG title, they do not qualify for the challenge.

The interesting part about this challenges is that I am plan to get all the books from NetGalley and write up reviews. I just need to make sure that I do enough research for each book before counting it.

Reading Challenges 2012

2011-12-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Another self made challenge. Using Goodreads. I found the Best Teen Vampire Fiction list.

FULL GOAL: Read every book on the list

MINI Requirement: Read one book by every author.

I have already read 25 of them those are in Italics.

and just as a side note I will not be reading any by Stephenie Meyer
already wasted to much time on her books

1     Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy, #1) by Richelle Mead
2     ~~Twilight (Twilight, #1) by Stephenie Meyer~~
3     (House of Night, #1) by P.C. Cast
4     Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods, #1) by Melissa de la Cruz
5     City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments, #1 by Cassandra Clare
6     Evernight (Evernight, #1) by Claudia Gray
7     Glass Houses (The Morganville Vampires, #1) by Rachel Caine
8     Vampire Kisses (Vampire Kisses, #1) by Ellen Schreiber
9     Vampire Knight, Vol. 1 (Vampire Knight, #1) by Matsuri Hino
10     Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side (Jessica, #1) by Beth Fantaskey
11     The Awakening (The Vampire Diaries, #1) by L.J. Smith
12     Eighth Grade Bites (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod, #1) by Heather Brewer
13     Peeps (Peeps, #1) by Scott Westerfeld
14     Interview With the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles, #1) by Anne Rice
15     Tantalize (Tantalize, #1) by Cynthia Leitich Smith
16     Bloodlines (Bloodlines, #1) by Richelle Mead
17     Strange Angels (Strange Angels, #1) by Lili St. Crow
18     The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause
19     Sunshine by Robin McKinley
20     Hex Hall (Hex Hall, #1) by Rachel Hawkins
21     Night World, No. 1: Secret Vampire; Daughters of Darkness; Spellbinder (Night World,#1-3) by L.J. Smith
22     Sucks to Be Me: The All-True Confessions of Mina Hamilton, Teen Vampire (maybe) (Sucks to Be Me, #1) by Kimberly Pauley
23     Betrayed (House of Night, #2) by P.C. Cast
24     Untamed (House of Night, #4)by P.C. Cast
25     Tempted (House of Night, #6) by P.C. Cast
26     Intertwined (Intertwined, #1) by Gena Showalter
27     Chosen (House of Night, #3) y P.C. Cast
28     Burned (House of Night, #7) y P.C. Cast
29     City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments, #2) by Cassandra Clare
30     Dead Is the New Black (Dead Is, #1) by Marlene Perez
31     The Last Vampire (The Last Vampire, #1) by Christopher Pike
32     Hunted (House of Night, #5) by P.C. Cast
33     Night World, No. 2: Dark Angel; The Chosen; Soulmate (Night World, #4-6) by L.J. Smith
34     The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire by Trisha Telep (Editor)
35     Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris
36     City of Glass (The Mortal Instruments, #3) by Cassandra Clare
37     Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home (Season 8, Vol. 1) by Joss Whedon
38     ~~Eclipse (Twilight, #3) by Stephenie Meyer~~
39     Suck It Up by Brian Meehl
40     Companions of the Night by Vivian Vande Velde
41     ~~Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) by Stephenie Meyer~~
42     Infinite Days (Vampire Queen, #1) by Rebecca Maizel
43     In the Forests of the Night (Den of Shadows, #1) by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
44     ~~New Moon (Twilight, #2 )by Stephenie Meyer~~
45     Immortal: Love Stories with Bite (includes: The Morganville Vampires #4.5 | Evernight) by P.C. Cast (Editor)
46     Origins (The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries, #1) by L.J. Smith (Creator)
47     ~~Midnight Sun (Twilight, #1.5) by Stephenie Meyer~~
48     Immortal Embrace (Embrace, #1) by Charlotte Blackwell
49     My Love Lies Bleeding (Drake Chronicles, #1) by Alyxandra Harvey
50     Boys that Bite (Blood Coven, #1) by Mari Mancusi
51     Vampire Kisses: Blood Relatives, Volume I by Ellen Schreiber
52     The Eternal Dawn (Thirst #3) by Christopher Pike
53     The Dead Girls' Dance (The Morganville Vampires, #2) by Rachel Caine
54     Chibi Vampire, Volume 1 by Yuna Kagesaki
55     Midnight Alley (The Morganville Vampires, #3) by Rachel Caine
56     Secret Vampire (Night World, #1) by L.J. Smith
57     Feast of Fools (The Morganville Vampires, #4) by Rachel Caine
58     A Living Nightmare (Cirque Du Freak, #1) by Darren Shan
59     Vamped (Vamped, #1) by Lucienne Diver
60     Carpe Corpus (The Morganville Vampires, #6) by Rachel Caine
61     ~~Twilight: The Graphic Novel, Vol. 1 by Stephenie Meyer~~
62     Lord of Misrule (Morganville Vampires, #5) by Rachel Caine
63     The Morganville Vampires: Volume 1 (The Morganville Vampires, #1-2) by Rachel Caine
64     Kiss Of Death (The Morganville Vampires, #8) by Rachel Caine
65     Got Fangs? (Ben and Fran, #1) by Katie Maxwell
66     Ghost Town (The Morganville Vampires, #9) by Rachel Caine
67     Thirsty by M.T. Anderson
68     Bloodlust (Vampire Beach, #1) by Alex Duval
69     Paranormalcy (Paranormalcy, #1) by Kiersten White
70     Fade Out (The Morganville Vampires, #7) by Rachel Caine
71     A Job From Hell (Ancient Legends, #1) by Jayde Scott
72     Vampire High by Douglas Rees
73     City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) by Cassandra Clare
74     All Together Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #7) by Charlaine Harris
75     Look for Me by Moonlight by Mary Downing Hahn
76     Dark Beauty by Taryn Browning
77     The Reformed Vampire Support Group by Catherine Jinks
78     Sweetblood by Pete Hautman
79     Living Dead in Dallas (Sookie Stackhouse, #2) by Charlaine Harris
80     Bite Club (The Morganville Vampires, #10) by Rachel Caine
81     Last Breath (The Morganville Vampires, #11) by Rachel Caine
82     Sons of Destiny (Cirque Du Freak, #12) by Darren Shan
83     Vamped by David Sosnowski
83     Dead to the World (Sookie Stackhouse, #4) by Charlaine Harris
85     Definitely Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #6) by Charlaine Harris
86     Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse, #3) by Charlaine Harris
87     Demons of the Ocean (Vampirates, #1) by Justin Somper
88     Revelations (Blue Bloods, #3 )by Melissa de la Cruz
89     Dead as a Doornail (Sookie Stackhouse, #5) by Charlaine Harris
90     Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, #10) by Charlaine Harris
91     Turned (The Vampire Journals, #1) by Morgan Rice
92     From Dead to Worse (Sookie Stackhouse, #8) by Charlaine Harris
93     Masquerade (Blue Bloods, #2) by Melissa de la Cruz
94     The Van Alen Legacy (Blue Bloods, #4) by Melissa de la Cruz
95     Doomed (Ancient Legends, #2) by Jayde Scott
96     Almost to Die For (Vampire Princess of St. Paul, #1) by Tate Hallaway
97     Bloody Kiss, Volume 1 by Kazuko Furumiya
98     My Blood Approves (My Blood Approves, #1) by Amanda Hocking
99     You Suck (A Love Story. #2) by Christopher Moore
100     Hidden (Marchwood Vampire Series) by Shalini Boland

The Taming by Teresa Toten and Eric Walters

2011-12-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Release Date: January 24, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday Canada
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Cover Thoughts: perfect, which is strange.
Synopsis:

Katie likes to believe she's invisible. It seems much safer than being exposed as she is--shy, poor, awkward. So getting up on stage in the school production of The Taming of the Shrew should be complete torture. But as Katie tells it, something totally unexpected happened when she stepped on stage: "My head exploded. I loved it. Acting hit me like a sucker punch and I loved, loved, loved it! . . . Invisible Katie became visible Katharina."
Evan Cooper is, as they say, another story. He knows just what it takes to get noticed, and he uses every one of the skills he's honed after years of being the new kid. Like tossing the keys to his father's high-end Audi to a kid he's never met, first day of school. "I have insurance for car theft," he explains to a shocked Danny. "And there's a full tank." An abuse of the power that comes with privilege and money? Sure.
But more dangerously, is his romance with Katie another version of the same thing? Or is it the real thing?

Review: I got totally blown over by this book. It was totally not what I was expecting. I was thinking a little romance some heartbreak. But all light and fluffy and that is totally not what you get. First you fall in love with Katie and Evan. Katie's thought process is so like mine! Round and round. Looking over every angle to make sure things are okay and working out possible scenarios for what happens next.

Instead of focusing on the film, I worried about whether I was sitting correctly, whether my lip gloss was still on, would he kiss me, and what happens to lip gloss when you kiss? And more than anything I worried about not having enough money for the dinner part."

And at first you don't get what Lisa's problem is. But than things change and it takes you by surprise. You aren't expecting it and you can't believe that it's even happening. This is a very well written story and I don't want to spoil it anymore. I would definitely recommend it.

To end: My favorite Quote of the book is from the very beginning

"You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, Like air, I'll rise." From Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

2011-12-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Masquerade (Blue Bloods #2) by Melissa de la Cruz

I like how the different versions of vampires they are. You have Stephenie Meyers disgusting view on Vampires (all sparkles and sunshine), L.J. Smith view that they are dark and mysterious but cling to humanity, Christopher Pike's version of the one true Vampire. And now Melissa de la Cruz were Vampires are fallen angels meant to drink blood for following Lucifer out of Heaven.

I found myself very disappointed that the Masquerage scene was such a short part of the book. And the descriptions weren't the best. I wanted so much more out of that scene than what we got. I also hate how she describes Schuyler (which is still a weird name)

But my disappointments aren't enough to stop me from greatly enjoying the story. I love Lawrence as a character. He is very precise in his actions and thinks things through. The reasons behind his separation from Schuyler's Grandmother are very interesting.

I also find it kinda creepy that the power of attraction transferred from mother to daughter. That is insanely creepy and I really wish Gabrielle would wake up and we could hear her side. Or maybe even just a dream, that would work for me. And what is Gabrielle and Michael's relationship?

Bliss is becoming a very interesting character and I can not wait to find out more about her. And who is Gabrielle's other child? Is it who I think it is?? Now I just have to find book three!

Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz

2011-12-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Blue Bloods (Blue Bloods #1) by Melissa de la Cruz

What kind of name is Schuyler? I am not sure how to even pronounce it. Other than that my only other issue with the book is the cover. Definitely not my favorite looking cover. It could have been so much better! For example it could have been a menacing Mimi and handsome Jack in the background with Schuyler looking over her shoulder at them.

I read this in one sitting and what I like about it the most is that you don't learn anything before Schuyler does. So you are left with the same questions she is asking. Which should mean that as her questions get answered your does to.

I knew who the bad guy was before she called him out. But then it turned out later to not be him because of some symbol on his wrist. Which actually makes me really angry because he fit it so perfectly!

So off I am to read book two and find out who the real bad guy is!

Teaser Tuesday

2011-12-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

Schuyler always looked like she was drowning infabric. The black sweater reached almost to her calves, and underneath she worea sheer black T-shirt over a worn gray thermal undershirt; and under that, along peasant skirt that swept the floor. Like a nineteenth century streeturchin, her skirt hems were black with dirt from dragging on the sidewalks

Blue Bloods #1 by Melissa de la Cruz
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

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

2011-12-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R.R. Martin

I should have kept better notes. With some many characters it is hard to remember everything I wanted to say.

There is so much sadness in this book. All the characters are surrounded by battle, blood, and death. Except for maybe Daenerys Targaryen - The Queen Across the Water. We did not see enough of Daenerys for her to be a favorite this round and I found her story to be dull compared to the rest, as she was at peace.

Ever other characters story was full of blood. Bram Stark, Arya Stark, Jon Snow, Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark are my favorites.

Sansa Stark, because I feel she became more than just a weeping girl, she truly became a princess, and I felt her joy at being set aside even though she doesn't fully understand what that means for her. She was brave when faced with un-certain times and did well when the queen left

Tyrion Lannister, already a dwarf and now even worse off. He story is horrible and will he survive.

Jon Snow, they put allot of stock into dreams. I am not used to that. I want to know more about poor Jon what happens to him now? What about his friends? Can he live what he promised?

Arya Stark, I could never get enough of her. What would her mother think of her now? What would Catelyn say of her daughter? I hope she is in the next book allot!

Bram Stark, my absolute favorite. For a 9 year-old he does some pretty interesting things. I believe he will overcome being crippled somehow, though that could just be wishful thinking. I was very angry with his story at one point and I would be interested in finding the tricky that went on there. He is very smart and cunning. I wish he was old enough to be king rather than Robb Stark. Though I am sure I would like Robb more when his mother isn't around.

Oh and I would love to know what happened to Lord Stannis (or King...) and his red woman

Unfortunately to reach my reading goals, I am putting aside this series as the books are all over 800 pages and I want to reach my goal of 103 books this year and have many books to go!! I will pick up this book ago come the new year!

Reading Challenges 2012

2011-12-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hosted by Bookish Ardour

found out about through Proud Book Nerd

* The Main Rule: Do not include books acquired during 2012, it defeats the purpose, read those books from before 2012 started!
* Running Dates: 1st of January – 31st of December 2012
* When Can I Sign Up: All the way up to the last two weeks of December!
* Crossover Genres: Anything! The name of the game is to turn those unread books into read ones.
* Mr Linky: To use the Mr Linky you’ll need to click on the graphic then enter your link. These will be updated and posted into this page every couple of weeks or so.
* Further Details: Crossover challenges are fine, you can change levels at any time, this is eBook, short story, and graphic novel friendly, and you don’t need a blog to join in (read further for details).

Challenge Levels
   1. Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
   2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
   3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
   4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
   5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
   6. Hoarder – Choose between 76-135 books to read
   7. Buried – Choose between 136-200 books to read

This year I am trying for Number 2 - Trying 15 books (I've read all my books on my shelf but I really want to reread many of them and this is the best chance I'm gonna get!)

Last year I read
1. Target by Stella Cameron
2. The Magician's Nephew C.S. Lewis
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
4. The Horse and his Boy by C.S. Lewis
5. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
6. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
7. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
8. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
9. Water by Bapsi Sidhwa

Sweets and Hearts

2011-12-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

I have never read this many books in a month! Granted 2 thru 7 are short stories as is 10. But I still feel like I accomplished allot! Game of Thrones is a massive book like eight hundred pages! I think that makes of for the short stories! I am getting so close to my goal!!

November
1. The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great by Eva Stachniak (NetGalley)
2. A Reluctant Queen by Joan Wolf (NetGalley)
3. A Crime Wave in a Corset by Stacy Gail (NetGalley)
4. This Winter Heart by PG Forte (NetGalley)
5. Wanted: One Scoundrel by Jenny Schwartz (NetGalley)
6. Far From Broken by JK Coi (NetGalley)
7. 19 by Aaron Patterson (Twitter Find)
8. In Her Name: Empire by Michael R. Hicks (Twitter Find)
9. Anathema by Megg Jensen (Twitter Find)
10. Desperate Measures (A Regency Short Story) by Candice Hern (Sony EReader Website)
11. Hollowland by Amanda Hocking (Twitter Find)
12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (OWN)
13. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin (EReader)

Teaser Tuesday

2011-11-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-11-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

"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

2011-11-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-11-05T06:30:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-04T06:30:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-03T06:30:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-02T06:30:00.000-06:00

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

2011-11-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

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

Two Mood Princess by Carmen Ferreiro-Esteban

2011-10-31T06:30:00.000-06:00

Release Date: April 15, 2010
Publisher: Tanglewood
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Cover Thoughts: it could have be so much more! I am half temped to make my own cover. It could be so beautiful. Thank goodness I don't always book up a book on it's cover only.
Review: I have been reading so many good books as of late. It's been so refreshing just sitting and reading. I know I am not going to have all this time in the future and so I have been taking full advantage of it.

Two Moon Princess is full of excitement, adventure, love but not the usual kind, mystery and I will definitely read this story again. The mix of history with future a gate to travel between the two is a fantastic idea, even if it is full of holes.

Andrea is a great character. I could picture her as a child playing with the other boys and getting into fights. Her spirit was brilliant and I liked that it stuck throughout the book. I am so happy with the ending and how she fell in love with the right person.

I like that events in this book changed the characters. Someone dying hardened a characters heart and the blood feuds are stuff that use to happen all the time. I don't see it in our current day and age. But definitely for the time the characters live in it is possible.

I love the travel and it seems the more I like a book the worse sort of review I do... so read it, enjoy it and write a better review for me to link up to! :)

Spellbound: The Awakening of Aislin Collins by Margeaux Laurent

2011-10-30T06:30:00.000-06:00

I love twitter for many reasons. One being occasionally there are amazing tweets out there that let you know about an awesome author who is offering up their book free for a period of time.

Margeaux Laurent participated in Good Choice Reading's

She wrote a short story and her a coupon to buy her book on Smashwords.

Spellbound: The Awakening of Aislin Collins by Margeaux Laurent
Published March 14th 2011 by iUniverse, Incorporated

First thoughts when I finished the book was GAHHHHHHH I Hate books!! :) Really I hate cliffhangers, man was this a good one!

Aislin (pronounced (Ash Leeng) in Ireland, but in the Colonies her family and friends pronounce her name as (Aze-lyn), (the "aze" rhyming with maze)) is a fantastic main character.

I so enjoyed this story so much I don't even know how to review it. When thing I greatly liked that all vampire books and shows are missing is periods! Yup I said it... girls have monthly periods and it's always a vampire guy failing in love with a girl. And this is the first book that has even brooched that subject.

Oh and I simply love her cat and it's reference to Faeries! Happy Reading!

The Kissing Tree by Prudence Bice

2011-10-29T06:30:00.000-06:00

Release Date: December 6 2011
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Sweetwater
Recieved from: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Cover Thoughts: It's actually not my favorite cover. But I do like how the title font transfers into the chapter titles. It was a nice transition.
Review:

"Samantha and Georgiana were not waltzing around the room. Feeling foolish for worrying, he watched them for a moment. He should have realized it was a woman thing. They were always squealing and making funny noises when they were excited. The problem was they made the same sort of noises when they were in trouble. They sure knew how to keep a man on pins and needs sometimes, trying to figure out if they were happy or needed to be rescued."

I stopped reading this genre when I moved out of my parents place. Usually it's full of lots of Christian notions when no actually people emotions when it comes to kissing and such oh and those types are always trying to convert you. So I was a little iffy on reading this one. However, this book was everything I missed and wonder about in the Christian novels and it most certainly wasn't preachy!

It was so refreshing the character were fun. And the descriptions of love was wonderful. I quite enjoyed this book and had many laugh out loud moments.

Mr. also always had interesting time he only ever bothered me when I was reading during a kissing scene! Definitely will read this one again!

Dearly Departed by Lia Habel

2011-10-28T06:30:00.000-06:00

Dearly, book 1
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, Del Rey
Recieved from: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Cover Thoughts: WANT HER OUTFIT... and the parasol!

Review: Steampunk meets Victorian Era meets Zombies.
I don't think I have ever read a Zombie book. I am not a fan of Zombies. I don't like watching Zombie movies, I think they are gross. Book Brunette has soften my view on Zombies a bit and Mr has finally gotten me to watch Shaun of the Dead. I grabbed this book based purely on it's cover, I thought it would be about ghosts and such, definitely not Zombies. And I love Steampunk anime, so I thought I would try that genre.

What I found in this book was a great main character with the same views as me on Zombies and so while she learned to understand them, so did I. The way Zombies come about in the story almost make it seem like it's an actually real possibility in the far far future.

I like Lia Habel's dedication thing at the beginning

"For my mother, who taught me early on that real ladies can give orders, real gentlemen can take them, and real zombies don't eat brains."

Bram is definitely my favorite new character. It's like Gale and Peeta from Hunger Games combining the best parts of the two of them into one awesome new character. Of course you also have to change how the person grew up and the entire story setting, but you get the idea.

I am really tired so I am just gonna go to sleep and let you read the book yourself! It's a good one!

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

2011-10-27T06:30:00.000-06:00

Magic Most Foul Book 1
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Fire
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 5
Cover Thoughts: see the cover. It's beautiful! I love her dress!

Review: In mention of her dress the one thing I don't get is she always write about how drabby her clothes are compared to her friend. And yet this is a magnificent dress! She is humble or just very vain about her dresses??

Moving on: No more vampires for me. I am enjoying angels/devils/ghost so much more and these books are much more gruesome but have much less blood!

Natalie I find is an interesting choice of name for the day and age the story takes place in. Actually allot of the names are very modern for the time Evelyn, Maggie... Though my favorite name is the one that please the Demon the most and is also the one that the trap is laid with. Names are extremely important and have great power in this story. Mr. Smith's name is just funny and completely appropriate for his character.

Part of the synopsis (found on goodreads) I didn't really agree with

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

definitely no Pride and Prejudice in there, I think the comparison would put Jane Austen to shame. Not because of the writing style, but because Jane Austen was beyond supernatural beings and naughty scenes, even if those juicy scenes were very tame.

I feel also like some of the infatuated love was forced. I didn't feel that way at the being but near the end I did feel that way. I think she was so happy about her new discover and he was there to share it so it was actually love to start with just adoration for a miracle. If that makes sense. Near the end I think she almost started to realize there should be more than just appearances, and while he was a gentleman he still took full advantage of her innocence.

I greatly enjoyed this book, but did find it extremely predictable and I knew exactly what was gonna happen in the end. There was no great twist or surprise that caught me off guard. I had it completely figured out. While usually that ruins the story for me to the point I don't feel like completing it, I still very much loved Evelyn. I think I like Evelyn because I want a mother figure like that, someone who will show you the right way but let you handle things on your own.

Happy Reading

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-10-26T06:30:00.000-06:00

The Picture of Dorian Gray meets Pride and Prejudice, with a dash of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...
Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

Release Date November 1, 2011

Teaser Tuesday

2011-10-25T06:30:00.000-06:00

"Now to be sure, I am an Episcopalian Christian. But my experiences in spiritualism have only expanded my faith, strengthened my commitment to the Lord, and woman's rights, and the rights of all people and enriched my delight in the Divine Mystery of the Universe."

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann

2011-10-22T11:24:00.002-06:00

This book was chosen for book club. Book Club was last night. I did not go as Mr. wasn't feeling good and I was very worried and didn't want to leave him alone. Which in the end turned out good because I only finished the book this morning.

Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann is a sheep detective book. I really quite enjoyed the first half of the book. If you have see the movie 'Babe' you will know how the sheep talk in the movie. And that is how I imagined the sheep talking in the book.

"Baa-ram-ewe, baa-ram-ewe. To your breed, your fleece, your clan be true. Sheep be true. Baa-ram-ewe"

I have many good laugh out loud moments. And I have tons of good quotes

"Do you think the Godlin King really did it?" asked Cordelia hesitantly. All the sheep knew she was talking about George's death. Mopple quickly pulled up a tuft of grass.
"Or Satan?" added Lane."Nonesense." Rameses snorted nervously. "Satan would never do a thing like that"

"It was the lord who did it!" cried Heather suddenly. "He took George home with him. And then it happened. They quarreled, first with words and then with the sword. Only there wasn't any sword handy so he used the spade."

About half ways through the book, I got bored and stopped enjoying it. I kinda lost interest and struggled reading through the rest. It felt like all the humor suddenly disappeared. The only reason I pushed through to finish it is because it was a book club book. I definitely liked the beginning but around the 120 page mark it stops being a good read.

So now I am going to read something else. Happy Saturday!

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-10-19T06:30:00.000-06:00

After a cover reveal on Harmony's Radiant Reads, I had to add Innocent Darkness to my Must Read list!!

Sixteen-year-old Noli Braddock's hoyden ways land her in an abusive reform school far from home. On mid-summer's eve she wishes to be anyplace but that dreadful school. A mysterious man from the Realm of Faerie rescues her and brings her to the Otherworld, only to reveal that she must be sacrificed, otherwise, the entire Otherworld civilization will perish

Release date August 8 2012

Teaser Tuesday

2011-10-18T06:30:00.000-06:00

"That doesn't mean anything," pointed out Sir Ritchfield, the oldest ram in the flock. "He didn't die of an illness. Spades are not an illness."

Three Bags Full by Loenie Swann
And I have to say I am so excited to read this Sheep Detective Story!!

Ashfall by Mike Mullin

2011-10-17T06:30:00.000-06:00

I really enjoyed the Guest Post by Mike Mullin on Mission to Read. I usually find guest post boring and barely skim them before moving on to something more interesting. Mike's post forever intrigued me and I believe my comment was

well if his book is as great to read as this post I can't wait for the book! What fun writing!

I was quite happy to find Ashfall on Netgalley a couple of days ago. And read it in one sitting yesterday.

Ashfall is the story of Alex, a teenage boy left alone for the weekend while his parents visit relatives. When the Yellowstone supervolcano erupts unexpectedly, Alex is determined to reach his parents. He must travel over a hundred miles in a landscape transformed by a foot of ash and the destruction of every modern convenience that he has ever known, and through a new world in which disaster has brought out both the best and worst in people desperate for food, water, and warmth. With a combination of nonstop action, a little romance, and very real science, this is a story that is difficult to stop reading and even more difficult to forget.

Release Date: October 14, 2011
Publisher: Tangelwood
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 5 Stars
Cover Thoughts: perfect! I detest being dirty. I even took a bath while reading this book because I could feel the ash on my skin as Mike describe the scene to you. The cover reflects this I feel.

I like the geek twist in the book. You take someone like Alex, who no one has expectations for and slowly watch him rise to the occasion. He felt very real, I think his emotions were true to what a person would go through.

The entire book was action packed right up until the last paragraph. I kept thinking the book was ending to soon because it feels like there should be more. And yet every question is answer, except one but your okay with that one not being answered. I would love to see another book where the question is answered. I feel like I am talking in riddles :)

It's kind interesting, this is the story before the dystopia books come. Things like The Hunger Games or Bumped. You never are walked through the events that led to those stories. But this book is the beginning.

And it's always interesting reading from a males perspective. They think very differently than girls do!

Definitely will read again! HAPPY MONDAY!

The Paranormals #1

2011-10-15T06:30:00.000-06:00

Jenny Pox (The Paranormals #1) by J.L. Bryan

Jenny has a secret. Her touch spreads a supernatural plague.

Bookish Brunette tweeted about the Jenny Pox box! And I jumped the gun and grabbed a copy! Amazon has it for free right now for a kindle! And while I absolutely hate kindles, I downloaded the app for my phone and read the book asap! (and my experience with the app makes me very glad I do not have a kindle because my goodness what an awful program it is!)

Bookish Brunette wrote a review for Jenny Pox as well as did a video blog post on the whole series. Which made me really want to read it! So I am so glad I got the chance!

I read this book in less than ten hours. Work was extremely boring and as I had the book on my phone I was able to have it out on my desk. Which is very bad, but oh it was soo good to read! Now I am just not sure what to say about this book.

The religion aspect of the book came as a shock. I never would have expect that from the synopsis. It reminded me very much of the Left Behind Series by Tim LaHaye, Jerry B. Jenkins. It's been years since I've read that series, but it reminded me greatly of it, only a million times better because JL Bryan wrote against it, against Christian believes. If that makes sense.

Jenny, Seth and her Dad were very interesting characters. And I am gonna leave my review at that. Fabulous book will work on getting an actual copy and read again!

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill

2011-10-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

I picked up this book on the account of my friends boyfriend whom I have never met. He recommended it to her and she them told me it was a must read. And so here I am reviewing my friends must read.

The book is broken up into four parts. Part 1 happens before Aminata Diallo enters slavery and is all about her childhood up to the age of 11. I think this was my favorite part of the book Aminata's innocence and it was captivating to read about her life and tribe.

Part 2 is the beginning of her capture, the end of her innocence, and a very bleak future. Aminata is lucky, she is a swift learner and because of that she is treated a tad better than the rest of the slaves. I can't decide which part of the book mad me sadder, part 2 or 3. While I never plan on having children, the idea of ripping someones child from the is horrible.

Part 3 is when Aminata is sold to her second owner and while he treats her a million times better, he betrays himself and her in the end. I do not know how that man could live with himself after that, especially with his believes. This is also around the time where I figured out the book was written by a man and not a woman. I would have never guessed that originally because you feel Aminata so well. The story is woven so richly and it's amazing that a male author could write a woman protagonist so well.

Part 4 Aminata is old and finally reaching her goals. And it was beautiful and painful all at the sametime.

Oh and I simply love the crescent moons and wonder at how it was done or if it was a birth mark...

God's Eye by A.J. Scudiere

2011-10-13T06:30:00.000-06:00

Release Date: October 1, 2011
Publisher: Griffyn Ink
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Thoughts: I actually never even looked at the cover when I picked out this book. I just really liked the synopsis
Review: I want to take my time writing this review. There are so many parts to this book for me to process.

I will start with the Characters. Katherine. GAH I hated her at the beginning she was so annoying. She never thought anything for herself. But out of all the book's I've read this year, she made the biggest turn-a-round. Going from a blind follower to a fantastic leader. I think it is so sad that the people who should have been her biggest supporter's in life were the ones holding her back.

Allistair and Zachary are the two guys in the story. There can't be much said without giving to much away about them. I hated Allistair in the very beginning, but Zachary's arrogance was so frustrating. A.J. Scudiere did a fabulous job weaving these characters. I did figure out who Katherine would choose (or rather I really hoped!) even though the choice felt so conflicting. I like how things were explained. Most books you don't get a great explanation as to why suddenly these two guys must fight over this one woman. But in this book the explanation given was so well written and I really liked how it was done.

This is my favorite quote

"There isn't a specific place. They are both in many places, sometime the same place. It's just here... part of the people. You can live in one and your neighbour in the other. Some people are caught in between. Some find heaven in the darkest times and others will be in hell no matter how the world is around them. Sometimes it's yours to find or to make. And sometimes it finds you. But it isn't a place you can go to. It isn't a place either Zachary or I can send you to."

This book makes you think about ripples. How your choices effect the people around you. How perception can be changed or altered based on your beliefs and people around you. This book isn't religious but it makes you wonder what is true and what isn't true in religion. If that makes sense. I would be curious as to what A.J. Scudiere's beliefs. But I am at the point where I don't really know what to say about the book. I greatly enjoyed it and will definitely read it again. The ending while was kinda annoying was exactly what I wanted it to be! and I am so happy Margot and Liam are getting married!!

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-10-12T06:30:00.000-06:00

Emma and her friend Chloe are spending vacation in Florida. When Emma (literally) runs into a hot guy named Galen on the beach, little does she know he’s a prince of the Syrena. Galen and Emma both feel something strange – is it attraction? – and Galen suspects that Emma might well be the girl he’s heard of – a human who can communicate with fish.

What follows is a deadly scene with a shark in which Galen witnesses Emma’s gifts. He must know more about her, and follows her back to New Jersey, and high school, to find out for sure if she’s the key to saving his kingdom. Soon, Emma can’t deny her feelings for him, but can’t explain them, either – and both she and Galen must learn more about where she comes from and what her powers are before they can trust one another and their feelings.

Release May 22 2012
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.
I heard about this book on Stories & Sweeties

Teaser Tuesday

2011-10-11T06:30:00.000-06:00

"What happens to me if I choose"
"You'll live out your life. Until your called"

God's Eye by A.J. Scudiere
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

God's Eye

2011-10-10T06:30:00.000-06:00

A demon . . .

Every soul he claims is another chance to advance.

Until he can walk among us, look like us, make us believe in him.

The only thing holding him back is . . .

An angel. . .

The rules of the realm bind him from fighting

on the demon’s terms. But this is his chance

to steal something away from the demon,

to steal the thing the demon wants most . . .

A woman who must choose . . .

A woman who has been chosen.

Katharine is suddenly a pawn in a game

where the rules and the stakes are beyond her comprehension.

She must take a side even though she can’t tell angel from demon.

And in the end, they will all be judged.

God’s Eye

Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore

2011-10-07T17:12:00.003-06:00

This couldn't wait until a Waiting on Wednesday post!

I am so so so so excited for this book!

Release date set for MAY 1 2012!!
Check out Kristin Cashore's - This is my Secret Blog post about the release of Bitterblue

AND

Here's a link to today's press release in Publisher's Weekly, which includes a little bit of teaser information about the book.

OMG I am so so so so excited!!!!

Water by Bapsi Sidhwa

2011-10-06T06:30:00.000-06:00

I found my original receipt in this book. I bought it April 26 2007. I remember buying it because I was bored and Mr. was working or at a friends house for another hour or so. And I needed something quick to read. At that time I was maybe read two or three books a year.

I don't think the characters, except for Gandhiji, are actual people. But the events and such are definitely based on truth. It is such a sad horror that someone would put their own kind, their own blood through the horrors the widows in this story go through. Chuyia is our main character, and how I wish I could see the colours and food describe at her wedding! I also very much want to try a Laddoo! My favorite part in the entire book is when Chuyia gives Bua the laddoo and the feelings Bua feels while eating it.

Kalyani is my favorite character along with the endearing Kaalu. To have the strength to survive forced prositition so that her fellow widows can live better is amazing. The end of her story really came as a shock and I just can not imagine how she survived as long as she did. I also don't know how Narayan can live after meeting Kalyani. If he didn't become a major activist against the treatment of widows after that I would be sorely disappointed.

While I know Madhumati lived through some terrible things, she should have taken a different approach instead of using the widows like she was used. I think it has something to do with the way she grew up, as a spoiled child who got anything and so she just took advantage of the faith and belief of the widows and destroyed them even more. The one thing I don't get is why she would cut of Kalyani's hair? Not only does that majorly affect Kalyani but by doing so destroys Madhumati's business.

And lastly Shakuntala decision is the best one in the book and I really hope it worked out for all parties involved.

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-10-05T06:30:00.000-06:00

Wilde Island is in an uproar after the recent death of its king. The uneasy pact between dragons, fairies, and humans is fraying, and a bloodthirsty witch hunter with a hidden agenda whips villages into frenzies with wild accusations. Tess, a blacksmith’s daughter from a tiny hamlet near the mysterious Dragonswood, finds herself caught in the crosshairs of fate when she is accused of witchery and has to flee for her life along with her two best friends.

Not even Tess’s power to see the future can help the girls as they set off on their desperate journey, but she keeps having visions of a man wielding a sword. And when she finally meets him, Tess has no idea how to handle the magnetic attraction she feels for him, or the elusive call she hears from the heart of the Dragonswood.

In this epic romance, an ancient prophecy comes true in a way neither dragon, fairy, nor human would have predicted.

Release January 5 2012
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.
I heard about this book on Stories & Sweeties

Teaser Tuesday

2011-10-04T19:22:00.000-06:00

Shakuntala was given by her father to the sage Kanva, head of a forest ashram. The sage loved her like a daughter, and Shakuntala grew up to become a most beautiful and modest woman. Her voice was sweet, and her manners sober and gracious."

Water by Bapsi Sidhwa
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

Book Club

2011-10-03T06:30:00.000-06:00

Three Bags Full

Even in the crowded arena of physically challenged detectives, the protagonists of Swann's novel are wholly unique. When it comes to solving murder, four legs and a fleecy coat trump Poirot's cane and Ironside's wheelchair in this insightful, giggle-inducing, wholly inventive mystery.

One morning, a beloved shepherd, George, is found in a meadow, a shovel embedded in his body and a suspicious hoof print on his chest. Miss Maple, the most intelligent member of the flock, dispatches her fellow detectives to dig up the dirt on the villagers (while snacking on some conveniently located geraniums along the way). Their suspects include the hated butcher, the local Bible-basher, the shepherd of a nearby flock, and George's recently returned prodigal daughter, among others.

This seamless translation by Anthea Bell miraculously puts the reader, like a wolf, in sheep's clothing. The world is seen (and smelled) from a sheep's perspective, making the traditional roundup of clues completely fresh (and often confounding!). Still, a sheep's mind is expected to wander toward greener pastures, and Swann must play the dual role of keeping her wooly detectives on track while holding readers in suspense, a balancing act she achieves beautifully, liberally seasoning her narrative with clever literary references. We suspect we will be hearing a lot more in the future from Leonie Swann, a writer who makes it easy for us to separate the sheep from the goats.

Jane by April Lindner

2011-10-02T06:30:00.000-06:00

I read Jane Eyre almost a year ago. I was very conflicted by the book because I couldn't decide if I hated the ending or not. In the end I did decide that I liked the book it was one of my favorites and it was a great classic. And then one day I heard about another book called Jane by April Lindner.

Jane Eyre meets Rockstar

What could be better than that?

Forced to drop out of an esteemed East Coast college after the sudden death of her parents, Jane Moore takes a nanny job at Thornfield Park, the estate of Nico Rathburn, a world-famous rock star on the brink of a huge comeback. Practical and independent, Jane reluctantly becomes entranced by her magnetic and brooding employer and finds herself in the midst of a forbidden romance. But there's a mystery at Thornfield, and Jane's much-envied relationship with Nico is soon tested by an agonizing secret from his past. Torn between her feelings for Nico and his fateful secret, Jane must decide: Does being true to herself mean giving up on true love? An irresistible romance interwoven with a darkly engrossing mystery, this contemporary retelling of the beloved classic Jane Eyre promises to enchant a new generation of readers

I just finished reading it and I must say I LOVE LOVE LOVED IT!! It was so good! And to be honest I really don't want to say much more than that. I will be going back and rereading this book when I need something fun and good to read. It's not super light. And I felt all the emotions Jane went through. But it was allot more relate-able in this version than in the previous version. I also love what the author wrote at the end

When one of the recent updated versions of Pride and Prejudice was published, I found myself musing with my husband about why Jane Eyre, such a great story of love and self-discovery, didn't seem to be getting the Pride and Prejudice treatment. I love Pride and Prejudice and its spin-offs as much as the next person, but if I had to choose between Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, I'd be on Team Charlotte.

While I might not be fully on Team Charlotte, I like that Jane didn't involve Zombies or Sea Monsters!

Sweets and Hearts

2011-10-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

Original goal was to only read two books this month due to how crazy of a month it would be, instead I did six!! That's freaking awesome!!

September (GOAL OF 2)
1. Fire by Kristin Cashore (GIFT)
2. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (GIFT)
3. Say Cheese, Medusa by Kate McMullan (NetGalley)
4. Complete Without Kids by Ellen L Walker (free download, not sure where I got it actually)
5. Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (NetGalley)
6. Hamlet And Ophelia by John Marsden (OWN)

Today is final day in moving!!

Hamlet And Ophelia by John Marsden

2011-09-30T06:30:00.000-06:00

Shakespeare has always intrigued me. I think I may have even read Hamlet in high school, but I don't remember because at that age I was much more interested in 'wild' books than confusing poems. I do know that the Hamlet version I remember was boring and dull because there was no girls. I somehow missed Ophelia. The original reason I grab this book to look at is because the cover is so lovely!

This version is a quick simple read. There isn't many confusing lines. What I liked is that it was straight to the point, but with lots if drama. I find it funny how Hamlet handled his two guard. I feel sorry for his mother and wonder if she did it on purpose. I also debate if Ophelia would have stayed the same if Hamlet hadn't gone away. The focus wasn't the romance which is why this was a good book. Most authors focus on the romance way to much.

I will definitely read this again! For now I'm lending it out to a Co-worker or two

Oh and the main line - To Be or Not to Be... is totally not in this book at all.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-09-29T06:30:00.000-06:00

This is late, but better late than never!!

'A sponge? Sir, do you mistake me for a sponge?' He glanced at Guildenstern as if to say, 'It's true, he's quite mad, next he'll tell us we're eggplants.'

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-09-28T06:30:00.001-06:00

When Megan Rosenberg moves to Ireland, everything in her life seems to fall into place. She makes close friends with the girls in her class, her relationship with her dad is better than ever, and she finds herself inexplicably drawn to gorgeous, mysterious Adam DeRis. Adam is cold and aloof at first, but when Megan finally breaks down the icy barrier between them, she is amazed by the intensity of their connection. Then Adam reveals a secret about the magical destiny that will shape both of their lives.

Release October 4 2011
"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Mentioned

2011-09-16T07:20:00.000-06:00

It might seem like a small thing,

but to me it made my day so much bright and filled me with happiness.

Proud Book Nerd mentioned ME (yes ME!!!) in her BBAW Community post! and she wrote a lovely little blurb. And I never want to forget it

Namine has become someone I’d consider a good friend. If I’m honest, I think part of the connection is that she reminds me of one of my sisters. I do not think that’s the only reason we’ve become friends, but I think it was a catalyst. (I hope, Namine, that this makes sense to you and isn’t a bad thing! ) She is sweet, kind, and a lot of fun to chat with. Add to that, she’s so supportive of me, and I appreciate it so very much. (Love you, Namine! )

Thank you so much Darling for mentioning me and writing such wonderful things about me! LOVE YOU!!! Can't wait to one day met you and give you the biggest hug in history!

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

2011-09-15T05:41:00.000-06:00

Release Date: December 27, 2011
Publisher: Egmont USA
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Thoughts: I love it. It's absolutely perfect for the perfect and has lots of meaning.
Review: I read this is one shift at work. I am helping out in a different position at work and at first I thought that would effect my ability to read. But so far... I would say I am doing pretty awesome on the book reading end of things! It's the 15th and I'm already finished book 5!

But on to the book. I love the characters in this book. Kali is an interesting person, she thinks she is very much on her own and watching her overcome her fears and realize she has friends, was very life like. You could relate and understand as a once upon a time loner myself I could feel exactly what she was going through.

I have two top favorite characters. Skylar and Zev... and I don't want to do spoilers, but I love the two of them! I would definitely love to more know about the FBI agents! And fingers crossed the ending as much as it isn't a real cliffhanger it would still be nice to know there's more books a-coming!

Waiting on Wednesday

2011-09-14T05:33:00.000-06:00

Every other day, Kali D'Angelo is a normal sixteen-year-old girl. She goes to public high school. She attends pep rallies. She's human.

And then every day in between . . . She's something else entirely.

Though she still looks like herself, every twenty-four hours predatory instincts take over and Kali becomes a feared demon-hunter with the undeniable urge to hunt, trap, and kill zombies, hellhounds, and other supernatural creatures. Kali has no idea why she is the way she is, but she gives in to instinct anyway. Even though the government considers it environmental terrorism.

When Kali notices a mark on the lower back of a popular girl at school, she knows instantly that the girl is marked for death by one of these creatures. Kali has twenty-four hours to save her and, unfortunately, she'll have to do it as a human. With the help of a few new friends

Release December 27 2011

Teaser Tuesday

2011-09-13T05:30:00.000-06:00

"Since my father was single and had been for years, he made a practice of using me as his "plus one." Suffice it to say I wasn't the kind of person who enjoyed being used. Still, hunt-lust aside, I wasn't a monster, and I had a policy against being nasty when I didn't have to be."

Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Tuesdays are hosted by Should Be Reading, be sure to check out the other Teasers!!

Complete Without Kids by Ellen L Walker

2011-09-12T06:34:00.000-06:00

Complete Without Kids: An Insiders Guide to Childfree Living by Choice or by Chance by Ellen L. Walker
My review kinda just jumps in... Read the description of the book and it should make more sense.

"I do not want children. When I see children, I feel nothing."

I may feel somethings, but usually it's annoyance. Especially children when they come into my work place. It's like parents don't care if their kids ran rampant throughout the building. They don't scold or punish their children when they rip my phamlets of the wall or intreupt important business meetings. I have actually made two children cry this year. The reason, I stop them from ruining things in my work place, I made them sit in the child's area we do have and they weren't allowed to move or I told them it would be very bad. Parents didn't even care that I did anything!

"Even if your're at peace with your decision to not have kids, are there times when you feel a loss because of pressures from friends and family or from the media?"

I don't think loss is the right word. I feel like, it's another thing I am being forced into by the people around me. When I say "We are not having kids" The reaction I always get is, "your young, you'll change your mind" or "you don't know anything yet, just you wait". If they bring up the whole what happens if it accidental happens, I always have to debate with myself how much of an augament to I want to get into with that person. Most people respond badly to "I would get rid of it"

"Some Negative Reasons People Have Children
Babylust
The Biological Clock
Pressure from Media, Family and Friends
Fear of Missing Out
Proving Our Parenting Skills
Avoiding Being Mislabeled or Misunderstood
Idealication of Child Rearing"

I think people who have children for any of the reasons above haven't thought through the complications have children. And that's when they become stressed out, over-worked parents who don't know how to do anything anymore because their children take up everything. I also think that as much as they don't realize they come to hold a grudge against their children for putting the parents in a position where money's tight or whatever.

We are very compassionate about animals, but have far less tolerance for other humans. My understanding is that when you have children you are forced to become selfless, and we have never had that experience."

Intentionally Child-Free Adults
that is me... and Mr. We both have come to the decision not to have children. Mr. knew from the start of our relationship where I stood on having children. He already had a large dislike for them, so the final decision not to have any was easy for him to make. I have known I wouldn't have children since I was 12 about six months into my mother's 3th pregancy. Well, I didn't have the wording at that age, I realize now that at the time I just couldn't understand why someone would put themselves through such hell only to have a baby that screams daily for 1 year. My mother's pregnancy's consisted of weekly hospital trips, doctors, and horrible babysitters. While I was excited to have a baby brother the idea that my mother would put herselve through 9 months of time spent in and out of hospitals didn't make sense to me.

When I was born I spent a month in the hospital, my mom's pregancy wasn't that hard. With my first sister, she didn't have much trouble that I know of, the usual morning sickness, but not much else. Mom lost one in between us and then ten years later had my brother, where she spent 9 months in and out of the hospital, we where at the hospital at least once a week, until we got home care. My sister and I were tossed to the side and a friends mom took care of us. She was a horrendous woman, who looked for reasons to beat us. Then we did it all over again two years later with my second sister, except that I was strong and demanded a different situation.

My experiences with my mother's pregnancies, added to the fact that after my second sister was born, my parents uprooted us to the middle of nowhere and then left me to babysit a 10year old, 2year old, and a six month ask strengthened my decision not to have anything runts. On to of that there is the logically side of things. It's a massive commitment to have children. You have to have the funds to raise them for 18 years. Each one you have the more money you spend. I watch my parents struggle to put food on the table even now, it's difficult for them to make ends met. They also don't always make the best financial decisions.

On top of that, I don't think I would make a very good mother. I have a hard enough time sharing Mr.'s and mine's clothing budget with Mr. I like clothes, I like to shop, I like to enjoy myself and have fun. I don't want to share my hard earned income with a third body. I want do too many things to waste time with noise makers.

"Intentionally childfree adults tend to prize their autonomy, their ability to maintain control over their environment, and their economic security"

At first I started reading this book, because I was curious about others thoughts and I wanted affirmation on my choice. But reading through I just found, it was something I didn't need anymore. I already know I don't want to have children reading a book doesn't change anything and then I got bored of it. It's a good book outside of some minor grammar and spelling issues and I am glad to have read some. There is definitely some things I didn't know and it's great to know I'm not along and I will be able to find people who have made the same decisions. And that concludes the reading of this book.

Say Cheese, Medusa! by Kate McMullan

2011-09-11T08:05:00.002-06:00

Release Date: August 8, 2011
Publisher: Capstone Stone Arch Books
Received from: NetGalley
Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Thoughts: Kinda entertaining for a cover!
Review: I am pretty sure these are young young adult books. But I need something light to read. And this book was good for some laughs.

I am not sure what format it was written in, almost like Hades was writing a dairy or a letter.

Athena's reasons for punishing Medusa, Enyo, and Deino is actually quite selfish and kind of silly. She being the daughter of Zeus I just would have assumed she'd have better manners and ... I don't know people to talk to. The gray sisters are hilarious! As usually they are entertaining and just as strange as in the Hercules movie.. though I would love to know how the sisters end of working for Hades. Oh and their descriptions is very strange.

All in all, it's a child's book, but light and fun and good for a laugh.

Also this is a Myth-O-Mania book... and book three at that. While I might not directly search for them, I will keep my eyes open for the first two especially when I am in the mood for a light read.

Happy Reading.