Saturday, November 30, 2013

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves
Stacking The Shelves November 30th 2013

Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tyngas Reviews that let's bloggers share their new books and swag, whether they are physical or virtual. I'll include books I've been sent, emailed, purchased, won and for review.

I think between now and Christmas will be the worst. I love to shop online and can't help adding a few books here or there to my Christmas orders. With Turkey day this week I found myself checking out all the deals online. So lots of ebook this week.

For Review 
Pride's Run by Cat Kalen (Goodreads)

Purchases
I had a Chic Lit Craving this week.
Bookends by Jane Green (Goodreads)
Jemima J: A Novel About Ugly Ducklings and Swans by Jane Green (Goodreads)
Love: A User's Guide: A Novel of Romance with Attitude by Clare Naylor (Goodreads)
A Girls Best Friend by Elizabeth Young (Goodreads)
Party Girl by Sarah Mason (Goodreads)
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (Goodreads)
Barefoot in the Dark by Lynne Barrett-Lee (Goodreads)

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Review: Drink, Slay, Love

Title - Drink, Slay, Love
Author - Sarah Beth Durst
Genre - YA Vampires
Published January 1st 2011
Format - Hardcover
Challenge - Bingo Vampires

Synopsis

Pearl is a sixteen-year-old vampire... fond of blood, allergic to sunlight, and mostly evil... until the night a sparkly unicorn stabs her through the heart with his horn. Oops. 

Her family thinks she was attacked by a vampire hunter (because, obviously, unicorns don't exist), and they're shocked she survived. They're even more shocked when Pearl discovers she can now withstand the sun. But they quickly find a way to make use of her new talent. The Vampire King of New England has chosen Pearl's family to host his feast. If Pearl enrolls in high school, she can make lots of human friends and lure them to the King's feast -- as the entrees. 

The only problem? Pearl's starting to feel the twinges of a conscience. How can she serve up her new friends—especially the cute guy who makes her fangs ache—to be slaughtered? Then again, she's definitely dead if she lets down her family. What's a sunlight-loving vamp to do?
Review

Pearl wasn’t made a vampire instead she was born with the plans of being nothing special pure. Yet Pearl is anything but boring she’s special she just need to be stabbed by a unicorn to show her the way. When a routine trip to the Dairy Hut ends in Pearl being attacked by a unicorn her family laughs it off thinking she was attacked by a hunter. It’s when she returns to the Dairy Hut for her favorite meal that she’s kidnapped by two hunters locked in a cage and doomed to wait for sunrise. However when the sun rises she doesn’t burn into fire turning her into a potential hazard to her family.

With the upcoming king’s feast her parents see her new found ability to walk in the sun as the perfect way to befriend high school students for party. As Pearl becomes friends with the students at school she starts to develop a conscience and hunting for her family become harder after she sends her parents to a mean girls house. After Pearl is pushed into drinking from her Dairy Hut guy ends in disaster she flees from her family but uses the idea of the junior prom to gain forgiveness. Only it’s short lived when she learns they plan to have a bloodbath and burn the mansion killing all the juniors instead of just taking a pint. Will she be able to save the students before it’s too late? What’s the story about the unicorns she keeps seeing?

I love Pearl she’s a goth teen vampire with a preference for ice cream flavored blood. You can’t help connecting with Pearl as she’s the awkward new girl at school she’s a good girl trapped in a dark world. I didn’t like her boyfriend from the start he’s kind of a tool than again he’s a vampire. I love Bethany she’s totally nerdy when Pearl first encounters her in the library. Evan I also think is a great character he’s an honest nice guy who happens to have a secret.   

I’ve had Drink, Slay, Love on my bookshelf for months I just haven’t gotten a chance to pull it off the shelf. The idea of vampires and unicorns has my curiosity peeked right from the start what can I say I love the sparkly unicorns over vampires.  The characters are fantastic they are engaging, easy to connect with and I couldn’t get enough of them. The book is unlike many vampire books on the market, extremely unique that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The author has put her own unique spin on the vampire concept by mixing unicorns as well as humor to tell a brilliant story. Drink, Slay, Love is one of those books that’s hard to put down you just have to know how it will end. This is my first book by Sarah Beth Durst but I think she did an amazing job and I can’t wait to read her other books. I know for a fact I’ll be reading and suggesting this one over and over. 
5 out of 5 stars. 

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday
Wishlist Wednesday is a book blog hop where we will post about one book per week that has been on our wishlist for some time, or just added (it's entirely up to you), that we can't wait to get off the list and onto our wonderful shelves. 
Hosted by Pen to Paper

I've come across this one several times but only recently decided it's time I pick up a copy. I love the cover and the synopsis sounds interesting. 

Warrior
by Zoe Archer
(Goodreads)

Synopsis

To most people, the realm of magic is the stuff of nursery rhymes and dusty libraries. But for Capt. Gabriel Huntley, it’s become quite real and quite dangerous… 

IN HOT PURSUIT…
The vicious attack Capt. Gabriel Huntley witnesses in a dark alley sparks a chain of events that will take him to the ends of the Earth and beyond—where what is real and what is imagined become terribly confused. And frankly, Huntley couldn’t be more pleased. Intrigue, danger, and a beautiful woman in distress—just what he needs.

IN HOTTER WATER…
Raised thousands of miles from England, Thalia Burgess is no typical Victorian lady. A good thing, because a proper lady would have no hope of recovering the priceless magical artifact Thalia is after. Huntley’s assistance might come in handy, though she has to keep him in the dark. But this distractingly handsome soldier isn’t easy to deceive… 


What's on your wishlist?

W...W...W... Wednesdays

W...W...W... Wednesdays November 27th 2013



W...W...W... Wednesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Be sure to link up to her so others can see what your reading.

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions...

1.What are you currently reading?
2.What did you recently finish reading?
3.What do you think you'll read next?

Books

1.What are you currently reading? Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads)
2.What did you recently finish reading? The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (Review)
3.What do you think you'll read next? Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads)

What are you reading?

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday November 27th 2013

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating. In my case not so patiently waiting for the new releases, which I lack.


Fire & Flood 
by Victoria Scott
Expected Publication February 25th 2014
(Goodreads)

Synopsis

A modern day thrill ride, where a teen girl and her animal companion must participate in a breathtaking race to save her brother's life—and her own. 

Tella Holloway is losing it. Her brother is sick, and when a dozen doctors can't determine what's wrong, her parents decide to move to Montana for the fresh air. She's lost her friends, her parents are driving her crazy, her brother is dying—and she's helpless to change anything.

Until she receives mysterious instructions on how to become a Contender in the Brimstone Bleed. It's an epic race across jungle, desert, ocean, and mountain that could win her the prize she desperately desires: the Cure for her brother's illness. But all the Contenders are after the Cure for people they love, and there's no guarantee that Tella (or any of them) will survive the race.

The jungle is terrifying, the clock is ticking, and Tella knows she can't trust the allies she makes. And one big question emerges: Why have so many fallen sick in the first place?


What are you waiting on?

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Top Ten Tuesday!

Top Ten Tuesday!
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke And The Brookish. Who doesn't love lists. They make life easy! And fun!! It's always a never ending topic.

This week's topic:
What I'm Thankful for this Holiday....

- My family - My dad has always been there for me when I need him and when I don't. He's been my rock since my mom passed away. My amazing hubby for supporting me in everything and not complaining too much about the books overflowing out house. He's my soulmate even if he doesn't let me read as much as I like. My kids they make life interesting and keep me on my toes. 

- Our House - It's nice to not have to worry about having a place to live. Plus we live on base so it's a nice little community that I feel safe in. 

- My Animals - While the cat is just anti social to everyone but me we get along but the puppy is my shadow even if he's not really a puppy well over 100 pounds of clumsy puppy. The duo keep my life interesting especially at night when they both want to be in the bed.  

- Books - I am very thankful to all the authors and publishers because without you life would be boring. I've had so many amazing adventures and fallen in love with so many characters looking forward to many more. 

- Books/kindles - without you my life would be boring. There is nothing better than a physical book but the kindles come in a close second with all these great ebooks. 

- My Blog - it's been a great outlet a place all my own. I've found ton's of new authors thanks to having a blo as well as made lots of new friends. 

- Goodreads -  I know lots of people aren't happy anymore but for me Goodreads has been a great little community. I've taken part of the groups making lot of new friends and joining lots of reading challenges. 

- Coffee - without you my day just doesn't start right. I love you both the 12 cup or the xpresso maker you both know how to brighten my day....add a little dunkin donut coffee and it's a dream.

- My Tv - Without you I wouldn't be able to watch my silly tv shows...like Project Runaway or Grimm. Also my classic old movies. I can't get enough of movies. 

Yup my list is cheesy. 

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday November 26th 2013

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

~Grab your current read
~Open to a random page
~Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on the page
~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! ( make sure that what you share doesn't give away too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
~Share the title & author too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

Drink, Slay, Love
by Sarah Beth Durst
(Goodreads)

Teaser 

She had a full, solid reflection, not the hint of one that she’d seen at the Dairy Hut. Whatever that unicorn had done to her … What had he done? And why? She had to catch him. Even if he couldn’t talk, he could pound his hoof yes or no. She’d throttle the answers out of him, if necessary.
She wished she knew more about unicorns. It was impossible to hunt something when she didn’t know its habits or habitats. She wondered if anyone did. If so … well, she was in a library.
New goal in mind, Pearl strode out of the bathroom without a backward glance at the mirror. She crossed to the computer, brought up a search on the keyword “unicorn,” and then headed to the folklore section. She immediately began pulling out book after book. Dropping down to sit cross-legged in the aisle, she flipped through them.
After fifteen minutes of this, she decided it was pointless. No book was going to conveniently fall open to just the page she needed. After all, unicorns were supposed to be mythical. Like vampires.
Feeling like an idiot, she left the pile of books on the floor. All she’d learned was that unicorns had a thing for virgin girls. Also, judging by the plethora of tapestries, medieval people had a lot of spare time on their hands.

What are you reading?

Monday, November 25, 2013

Cover Characteristic - Dragons

Cover Characteristic - Dragons
 Hosted by Sugar & Snark

Each week we will post 5 of our favorite covers to go with the theme of the week. 
I'm a huge cover fan so this is a great meme for me.

This week's will be hard to pick just five since Dragons are one of my favorites. 

The Flight of Dragons by Peter Dickinson (Goodreads) One of my favorites as a kid.  
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik (Goodreads) I want to start this series. 
Scorched by Mari Mancusi (Goodreads) I really enjoyed this one. 
Slayers by C.J. Hill (Goodreads)I have the physical copy it's beautiful just need to read it. 

My Favorites
Dragon's of Pern by Anne McCaffrey (Goodreads)
 One of my first dragon books and favorites but I love all of her covers.


What are you favorite dragon covers?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? November 25th 2013
Welcome to It's Monday! is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at Bookjourney to share with others what you've read the past week and are planning to read the next.

I've had a little book burn out but this week I had a decent selection of books.

Read last week


The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith (Review)
Elemental by Brigid Kemmerer (Review)
Give Me: A Tale of Wyrd and Fae by L.K. Rigel (Review)
The Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz (Review)
Darkness Falls by Jessica Sorensen (Review)

Currently Reading
Drink, Slay, Love by Sarah Beth Durst (Goodreads)

Up Next
Accidentally Catty by Dakota Cassidy (Goodreads)

Rest of the week
Every Other Day by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Goodreads)
Me, Cinderella? by Aubrey Rose (Goodreads)
Embrace by Cherie Colyer (Goodreads)

The hubby's out of town so I hope to get a few more we will see. 

What are you reading?



Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

Title - The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author - Jennifer E. Smith
Genre - YA Romance
Published - January 2nd 2012
Format - Ebook

Synopsis

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?


Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it. 


Review

Hadley thinks today is going to be the worst day ever. After all she’s headed across the pond to London for her father’s wedding to a woman she’s never met. She arrives at the airport only to miss her flight by four minutes forced to catch the next one three hours later. That’s not even the worst part she’s claustrophobic so flying is always been a challenge. When attempting to leave her suitcase for a moment with a fellow passenger she’s assaulted by the passenger’s response but a cute guy offers to watch her bag. When she stomps off he follows joining her so she can leave her bag with him and not break the rules.

While having sandwiches with Oliver before boarding she learns that he’s sitting right next to her on the plane and may just make this flight memorable. While the two connect on the long seven hour flight, they lose each other in customs. While Hadley heads off to her father’s wedding to the woman she’s never met she’s not excited but dreading the trip. After all she’s still mad at her father for leaving her mother and destroying their family. Even though her mother has moved on Hadley hasn’t been able to. Will she survive the wedding? Will she see Oliver again?

I like Hadley she’s has issues which make her flawed which I think is the best type of character. I was able to connect with her because I know what it’s like to have a step mother even if my circumstances where different. I instantly liked Oliver he’s a good guy who is also flawed with a British accent need I say more. Plus who doesn’t love chivalry?

I’ve had this one on my TBR for about a year even picked up the eBook ages ago. I’m a fan of happy ever after stories but this one kept me on the edge of the seat nervous to the very end. I also found this book to be very emotional which isn’t a bad thing after all the characters each have their own struggles. I really like the characters they were easy to connect with and witty. I think the author created a beautiful story using the concept of finding love at first sight it’s cute and sweet. I also think her writing style is fantastic it flows along smoothly from start to finish if anything I wanted more I found her story hard to put down. I plan to read more of her books in the near future after this one was such a hit in my book. I’m sure I’ll even read it again. I loved everything about the book it just was an amazing story about young love. 
5 out of 5 stars

Review: Elemental

Title - Elemental 
Author - Brigid Kemmerer
Series - Elemental
Genre - YA Paranormal
Format - Ebook
Published - March 27th 2012

Synopsis

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they are more than you dream.


As an air Elemental, 17-year-old Emily Morgan doesn’t have much power. That’s okay—she knows what happens to kids who do.

Like Michael Merrick. He’s an earth Elemental, one with enough power to level cities. Which makes him sexy. Dangerous. And completely off limits. At least according to Emily’s family.

But her summer job puts her in close contact with Michael, and neither of them can help the attraction they feel. When forces of nature like theirs collide, one misstep could get someone killed. Because Emily’s family doesn’t just want her to stay away from him.

They want him dead.


Review

Emily is dying to get away from her hometown and parents. Her plans include moving to New York where she can work on Broadway but the only way she will get there is by making some money.  After getting the job at the sports complex it’s clear that no one else wanted the job. It’s been dead at work so Emily is listening to her Broadway musicals when Michael Merrick shows up with a bat over his shoulders. After hearing he jumped her brother last week and beat him up pretty bad Emily is nervous but all he wants are tokens she questions everything she heard about him. Emily knows that Michael is a pure elemental which makes him more powerful than the rest of them so they see them as a threat. When he returns again even though her father tells her to stay away she can’t help it. Emily questions maybe he’s not the bad guy after all.

I've been wanting to start this series for a while just haven’t gotten around to it and when Bingo asked for a novella I figured it was time. The concept that people have powers they get from the elementals is really unique and exciting. I found the whole story captivating from start to finish it’s fast paced filled with raw emotions, action and a little bit of romance all rolled together to create fantastic start to an exciting series. I really enjoyed this little installment it’s a perfect teaser all the encouragement I need to read the rest of the series. With the paranormal twists I think this would be a book teens as well as adults will enjoy. 
5 out of 5 Stars

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Review: Give Me: A Tale of Wyrd and Fae

Title - Give Me: A Tale of Wyrd and Fae
Author - L.K. Rigel
Series - Tethers #1
Genre - Fantasy Fae/Witches
Format - EBook
Published August 31st 2011

Synopsis

All she wanted was a vacation - but Dumnos offered a new life. 


When Lilith Evergreen receives an antique ring as a gift, she dreams of a castle by the sea, a magnificent tree at cliff's edge, and a mysterious woman who bids Lilith to come to Dumnos, a land of mist and rain. 

Cade Bausiney is the future Earl of Dumnos, but at present he just wants to bolster tourism to help the local economy. When Cade and Lilith meet, they're overwhelmed by desire for each other - so intense it must be magically induced. 

Long ago a witch's spell ended in disaster that left two souls to haunt Dumnos to this day. Lilith and Cade must find a way to make things right - or be forever possessed by the spirits who've waited a millennium to consummate their love.


Review

Lilith lives in California she’s just your average girl living a normal life. When her fiancé returns home from his trip in London with a ring it changes her life. Next thing she knows she’s dreaming about Dumnos lush countryside, castles, and even a prince. In one dream a woman even books the hotel for her encouraging her to come. After arriving in Dumnos Lilith meets Cade Bausiney they are each instantly drawn to each other as if under a spell.

We also meet Galen and Diantha who are very much in love but its short lived because a curse that was meant to save them sends them into rings keeping them apart for hundreds of years. The other person in the story is Elyse who is the one who attempted to save Galen and Diantha from her sister and locked them in the rings. Will Lilith and Cade break the spell before it’s too late? Will Elyse be able to fix her mistake before the faerie King changes her plans.

This one is a tough one because we have so many characters. I like Lilith and Cade but I think they are interesting. However I think Elyse stole the story because she’s the one who created the spell that put everything in motion. I didn’t really connect with any one character but I did like them all.

I picked up Give Me: A Tale of Wyrd and Fae as a kindle freebie ages ago but never got around to it till this weekend when the blue cover worked for one of my challenges. The story is quick fast paced easily able to finish in one sitting. I like the characters even though I didn’t connect with them I did find them engaging. The concept is unique I like the way the real world mixes with the fae world. I think the author did a great job of mixing all the different character's stories together it wasn't confusing. I enjoyed the story but I wanted more. I think anyone who enjoys reading about the fae will enjoy the story. This is my first book by the author but I'm curious to check out her other books.
3 out of 5 stars

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Stacking The Shelves

Stacking The Shelves
Stacking The Shelves November 23rd 2013

Stacking the Shelves is a meme by Tyngas Reviews that let's bloggers share their new books and swag, whether they are physical or virtual. I'll include books I've been sent, emailed, purchased, won and for review.

This is four weeks of book adding lots of shopping on my part. I would have posted sooner but real life and a little blog burnout has not been my friend. I've been picking ebooks up since amazon upped their minimal shipping order it's not so easy to sneak them by the hubby.

For Review 

Georgetown Academy by Alyssa Embree Schwartz & Jessica Koosed Etting (Goodreads) Coliloguy via Netgalley
Becoming Alpha by Aileen Erin (Goodreads) Inscribe Digital via Netgalley
Witch's Brew by Heidi R. Kling (Goodreads) Coliloguy via Netgalley
Mistress of the Wind by Michelle Diener (Goodreads) Season Publishing via Netgalley
Othersphere by Nina Berry (Goodreads) Kensington Books Via Netgalley
Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe by Rebecca Raisin (Goodreads) Harlequin via Netgalley
Much Ado About Nothing by C.E. Wilson (Goodreads) From the author
As You Were by Samantha Summers (Goodreads) From author
Becoming by Samantha Summer (Goodreads) From author

Purchases
Forbidden: Discover the Legend by Tina Smith (Goodreads)
Regina in the Sun by R.G. Alexander (Goodreads)
 Soar by Alyssa Rose Ivy (Goodreads)
After Midnight by Lynn Viehl (Goodreads)
Something Secret This Way Comes by Sierra Dean (Goodreads)
The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott (Goodreads)
Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr (Goodreads)
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr (Goodreads)
The Faerie Ring by Kiki Hamilton (Goodreads)
Insignia by S.J. Kincaid (Goodreads)
The Runaway Actress by Victoria Connelly (Goodreads)
Bait by Annie Nicholas (Goodreads)
 
Murder, She Wrote: Gin and Daggers: by Jessica Fletcher (Goodreads)
The Wonderful Wizard of OZ by L. Frank Baum (Goodreads)
Me After You by Mindy Hayes (Goodreads)
Wasteland by Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan (Goodreads)

What did you get this week?