Stacking the Shelves (9)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme to show what we received during the week.  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews. 

How to participate (from Tynga’s blog)

•                Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!

•                 

•                You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit!

•                 

•                I am posting Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.

•                 

•                Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!

Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!

It's been a busy book week here. :D

Purchased:

Audible: 

I bought this because I heard great things from Jenni over at Alluring Reads. 

Review:

Won/Gifted

Gifted these wonderful books from Alyssa at Readers Refuge. 

 I won these books from HarperCollins.  Thank you so much for the opportunity! 

Before I Wake Mini Challenge

Rachel over at Fiktshun is hosting a mini challenge to finish up her Soul Screamers Reading Challenge.  I will be participating in this.  Go check out the details so you can too!  I absolutely LOVE this series and think everyone should read it!

Book Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Published: September 27, 1022

Buy: Amazon, B&N, Audible

Source: Audible

Goodreads Blurb: Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands"; she speaks many languages—not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out.

When one of the strangers—beautiful, haunted Akiva—fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Quick Review:

The narrator did a fabulous job with this book.  I could feel the characters' emotions with each word she spoke.  


Karou is the main character in this book.  She never knew her parents, or why she was put in Brimstone's charge  The truth is shocking!  I did not see that coming. 


Akiva is a tortured soul. But something about Karou captures his attention.  He doesn't know what it is exactly, but he wants to be around her only.  


There is a twist that I did not see coming.  You don't realize the importance of certain objects until close to the end.  Then you begin to understand put pieces of the puzzle together.  


The chimera, a race of people that look more animal than human, are odd creatures.  Many think they should be feared, but to Karou they are her family.  Regardless of what's said about them, they truly care for Karou.  Just like people, they are not all the same.  


I enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what happens next in this series.  

Book Review: Lies Beneath by Anne Greenwood Brown

Published: June 12, 2012

Buy: Amazon, B&N

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads Blurb: 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 irresistable good looks and charm on ususpecting 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.

It took me a few weeks to finish this book.  I wasn't able to connect with the characters the way I was hoping.  The story line was great though. 

I was confused when I first started reading because the main character is a male, and the cover shows a female.  Even with that little aspect, the cover is gorgeous.  Calder, the main character, and his sisters are mermaids.  Don't expect any singing crustaceans because these aren't the Disney mermaids we are accustomed to.  They are ruthless and murderous.  

The relationships are odd.  Calder and his sisters are pulled together every year.  They can hear each others thoughts while under water. However, this only comes through when it's convenient.  Calder is very stalker-like,and gave me the creeps most of the time.  All of his actions seem forced.  Nothing about him flowed with his character.  

On to the story.  I really enjoyed the author's writing style, and that's what kept me engaged.  Her way with words helps move the story along.  I definitely liked that the mermaids were sinister.  It's nice reading a book where things aren't hunky dory.  This book also shows that there are bad people otu there that are capable of having feelings and possibly redemption. 

Desperately Wanting Wednesday (8)

 

This is a meme hosted by Parajunkee View for books we can't wait to get our hands one.  New releases as well as ones already published.

 I'm going to share a couple of books I'm looking for, and book that my son is wanting to read ASAP!

Here are mine!

This cover is for Avow by Chelsea Fine. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. 

And now for the boy's book he's waiting for. 

It's already out in hardcover, but he says he'll wait for the paperback that comes out in August.

Book Review: Rapture by Lauren Kate

Release Date: June 12, 2012

Buy: Amazon, B&N

Source: Bought

Goodreads Blurb: The sky is dark with wings . . . .

Like sand in an hourglass, time is running out for Luce and Daniel. To stop Lucifer from erasing the past they must find the place where the angels fell to earth. Dark forces are after them, and Daniel doesn’t know if he can do this—live only to lose Luce again and again.

Yet together they will face an epic battle that will end with lifeless bodies . . . and angel dust. Great sacrifices are made. Hearts are destroyed. And suddenly Luce knows what must happen.

For she was meant to be with someone other than Daniel. The curse they’ve borne has always and only been about her—and the love she cast aside. The choice she makes now will be the only one that truly matters.

In the fight for Luce, who will win?

The astonishing conclusion to the FALLEN series. Heaven can’t wait any longer.

A great ending for the Fallen series.

The fallen angels have 9 days to find the spot where they originally fell.  Otherwise, Lucifer will win and wipe the slate clean.

This book shows just how strong the love Luce and Daniel have for each other is.  Daniel knows the truth of everything, but can't confide in Luce.  She has to figure things out on her own.  And boy, I did not see the outcome of the truth coming.  I was like, "Oh my WOW."  I'm not sure what I was expecting, but that wasn't it. 

While searching for the relics that will tell them the site of the fall, they begin battling the Scale. The Scale is a group of angels that believe they are doing the Throne's will by harassing the fallen angels and outcasts.  Along this journey we lose and gain very dear friends.  People you never though you'd say goodbye to depart this world.  I found myself in tears. 

What this last installment boils down to is: You have to choose. Lucifer, the Throne, or Love????

Moonlight Mayhem Blog Tour & Giveaway #MMBlogTour

I'm so excited to be a part of the Moonlight Mayhem Blog Tour.  Sherry has been great to work with, and I'm loving her writing style.

This giveaway is open internationally! So let’s tell the blogging world!

Hi everyone, I’m Sherry Soule—waving from Castro Valley, California, where it gets pretty foggy even in the summer. And even with the fog burning off by afternoon, I’m chilling on my laptop and chatting on Twitter about my favorite books and movies.

Thank you for letting me hang out today as part of my epic Moonlight Mayhem Blog Tour this summer. It’s a thrill to get to be a guest and meet all these awesome booklovers.

My tour has been so much fun and it is nice seeing the familiar names in the comment section of each guest post. For those of you who haven’t heard about my Moonlight Mayhem blog tour it’s not too late to join the fun!

To celebrate the release of author, Sherry Soule’s new paranormal novel, MOONLIGHT MAYHEM, take this super fun quiz to see which character BEST suits YOU and score a Kindle or Nook version of the first book in this unforgettable YA series, BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN! 

Would you be better friends with Shiloh or Ariana?

Are you a quirky, romantic witch with magickal powers?

Or a snarky and outgoing blond with lots of vitality?

Well, they both love to read, have their own sense of style, and have big dreams for the future—but while they share those things, Shiloh’s tall, and Ariana’s not. Ariana’s got major curves and Shiloh’s super skinny. Ariana hearts Christina Aguilera and Shiloh’s all about the Foo Fighters.

Take this quiz and be sure to check the bottom of the post for the details regarding this random giveaway.

1.     You have $50 to spend. Where do you go?

a.      Steve Madden. A girl can never have too many shoes!

b.      Everyday Magick. Stock up on snake blood and eye-of-newt.

c.      Duh! Abercrombie & Fitch

d.      Hot Topic, of course!

2.    It is dinnertime. What are you in the mood for?

a.      Chinese takeout.

b.      Salad and iced tea—please

c.      Fruit and diet soda

d.      BBQ Chicken Pizza. Yum!

3.    The fog in Whispering Pines is extra thick. What keeps you warm?

a.      Bolero jacket with Lucky jeans and Uggs.

b.      Hoodie with my skinny jeans and Doc Martens

c.      The fires of hell—so toasty!

d.      Denim jacket with my black pants and low-top Converse

4.    What is your dream destination?

a.      Hawaii. Warm and tropical. Plus hot guys.

b.      New York. Architecture and culture

c.      Underworld. One way ticket—please!

d.      Paris. The city of romance!

5.    What’s your favorite footwear?

a.      Flip-flops.

b.      Doc Martens

c.      Hoofs

d.      Converse.

6.   Favorite supernatural hunk?

a.     Dean Winchester—heavy sigh!

b.     Stefan Salvatore—so romantic!

c.     Tyler Lockwood—furry and supercute!

d.     Edward Cullen—bite me!

7.    What’s your favorite TV show?

a.      Pretty Little Liars

b.      The Secret Circle

c.      The Lying Game

d.      The Vampire Dairies

8.    Favorite book?

a.      “Descended by Blood” by Angeline Kace

b.      “Revealers” by Amanda Marrone

c.      “Strange Angels” by Lili St. Crow

d.      “Shiver” by Maggie Stiefvater

9.   What’s your dream job?

a.      Hairstylist

b.      Architect

c.      Ghost Hunter

d.      Personal Shopper

10. What supernatural pet would you like to own?

a.      Phoenix (exotic bird)

b.      Siamese cat (familiar)

c.      Hell Hound

d.      Werewolf

11.  Favorite movie?

a.      Gone With the Wind—I like to channel my inner Scarlett.

b.      The Craft—awesome witch movie!

c.      Insidious—haunted houses are uber scary!

d.     Ginger Snaps—werewolves are wicked cool.

12.  What is the best season?

a.      Spring. Warmer weather and flowers.

b.      Fall. Halloween!

c.      Winter. It gets dark early…

d.      Summer. Yay! No school

13.  What is your favorite color?

a.      Metallic blue. Duh

b.      Fuchsia. I can be a feminist girly-girl and like pink!

c.      Red, the color of blood.

d.      Silver, it’s sparkly and magical.

If you answered...

Mostly a's: You and Ariana need to hang at the mall!

Mostly b's:  Shiloh has a haunted house to cleanse—you free tonight? Follow her supernatural adventures on Twitter: @SpellboundGirl

Mostly c's: Beware—the creatures of the underworld are watching you!

Mostly d's: Ariana and Shiloh are your new BFFs!

MOONLIGHT MAYHEM Synopsis:

Otherworldly Creatures. Dazzling Magic. Fiery Romance.

Shiloh Ravenwolf thought she was getting used to the strange events in Whispering Pines, until the full moon brings another surge of supernatural threats to her coastal town. Ferocious wolves, deadly necromancers, and shambling zombies have descended upon the neighborhood, so Shiloh needs to gain control of her magical abilities—fast!

It sucks that she has a crippling fear of the dark, which for a demon hunter can be an epic problem.

When her classmates are attacked by a mysterious creature and her father is murdered, Shiloh vows vengeance. Forcing her phobias aside, she forms an unlikely coven of supernaturally gifted teens to help her eradicate this menace. Except that's not all Shiloh has to worry about. She’s battling a different monster within herself and struggling not to become the very thing she fights: evil.

But with demon blood inside her—anything can happen…

Moonlight Mayhem is the second novel in the unforgettably epic Spellbound series

By Sherry Soule

Where you can find author, Sherry Soule online:

Official Blog: http://www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com

Official Spellbound Series Universe: http://thespellboundseries.blogspot.com

Twitter @WriterSherry: http://twitter.com/writersherry

Awesome Book Trailers/YouTube: http://youtu.be/5uqVXKygvUs

  and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o44sW-gFtvA

goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11634793-beautifully-broken

Random winner will be picked on July 9, 2012 and be posted at the top of this quiz, please check back on that day to find out if you’re the lucky winner.

Giveaway details for a Kindle or Nook of BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN:

1.) You must comment with your quiz results

2.) Be a follower of Sherry’s blog

3.) Be a follower of this blog

4.) Follow us both on Twitter: Sherry, Bookish Things

Good luck!

Stacking the Shelves (8)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme to show what we received during the week.  It's hosted by Tynga's Reviews. 

How to participate (from Tynga’s blog)

•                Create your own Stacking The Shelves post. You can use my official graphic or your own, but please link back to Tynga’s Reviews so more people can join the fun!

•                 

•                You can set your post any way you want, simple book list, covers, pictures, vlog, sky is the limit!

•                 

•                I am posting Stacking The Shelves on Saturdays, but feel free to post yours any day that fits you.

•                 

•                Visit Tynga’s Reviews on Saturday and add your link so others can visit you!

Visit other participants link to find out what they added to their shelves!

 Bought:

By a Thread by Jennifer Estep (RAK)

Fairy Metal Thunder by JL Bryan

Stolen Away by Alyxandra Harvey

Witch Way Bends by Olivia Harden

Exiled by M.R. Merrick

The Hunter and The Hunted by Kelley Armstrong

Forever Dark by Melanie Nilles

 Review:

Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Blade Song by J.C. Daniels

Biannual Blogathon

So I've decided to participate in this this weekend. I won't be able to devote the entire weekend to this since it's wee one's birthday party weekend.  But I do plan to get some thing accomplished.

Here's my to do list

1. Get caught up on reviews
2. schedule posts for the week
3. Organize my calendar
4. pick dates that I'm going to read certain books

As you can see most of this is offline, but it's greatly needed.

I hope to work at least 5 hours.  We'll see if this gets acccomplished.

You still have time to join, just click the button above and sign up!

Book Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Published: June 5, 2012

Buy: Amazon, B&N

Source: Courtesy of Macmillan

Goodreads Blurb: Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

I haven't read a ton of fantasy since high school when I decided to tackle Lord of the Rings. Well that's not completely true, I have read the first two books in A Song of Ice and Fire. But seriously, these are the only books I've read until Shadow and Bone.  I absolutely LOVED this book.  It was everything I hoped for and more.  I was up late because I couldn't put it down. 

Bardugo does an amazing job creating this world and the characters.  Throughout the book I felt Alina's loneliness and need to be a part of a group.  She never fit in with her troop, and still doesn't really belong with Grisha.  She goes through so many emotions, including heart ache, in order to find who she is.  The only person she has ever felt understood by is Mal, her childhood best friend.  He is the one constant in her life, or was, until she was swept off to join the Grisha.  

The Darkling is someone many people fear.  He is the only Grisha with black robes, and is extremely mysterious.  He has secrets that he means to keep hidden.  I was so back and forth on him and his intentions during most of the book.  But after certain events, and I'm not a fan.  Or maybe that will change later. :P

I kept getting choked up on the some of the words.  They can be a little hard to pronounce.  But I did the best I could and moved on.  It's mostly just titles that are difficult.  

The world she built is still so vivid in my mind, even a week after putting the book down.  I'm sure I'll be doing a re-read soon.  I highly recommend this for fans of fantasy.  It is an epic story that will leave you wanting more!