Sunday, February 26, 2012

In My Mailbox (4)

In my mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren


Paperback:

A signed paperback of Unnatural Law Darwin's Children Book 2 by Natasha Larry   won via giveaway @ http://blog.smboyce.com/




E-books to review:


    Entangled (Spellbound Book One) by Nikki Jefford

Silver Moon #1    Black Moon (Silver Moon #2)  and  Under the Stars  by Rebecca A. Rogers

Intangible  by J. Meyers

Paraglide by Peter Anthony Kelley  



Special thanks to all the fabulous authors!

Cover Reveal : TASTE by Kate Evangelista







Here is the blurb:

"At Barinkoff Academy, there's only one rule: no students on campus after curfew. Phoenix McKay soon finds out why when she is left behind at sunset. A group calling themselves night students threaten to taste her flesh until she is saved by a mysterious, alluring boy. With his pale skin, dark eyes, and mesmerizing voice, Demitri is both irresistible and impenetrable. He warns her to stay away from his dangerous world of flesh eaters. Unfortunately, the gorgeous and playful Luka has other plans.

When Phoenix is caught between her physical and her emotional attraction, she becomes the keeper of a deadly secret that will rock the foundations of an ancient civilization living beneath Barinkoff Academy. Phoenix doesn’t realize until it is too late that the closer she gets to both Demitri and Luka the more she is plunging them all into a centuries old feud."




About Kate Evangelista:

"When Kate Evangelista was told she had a knack for writing stories, she did the next best thing: entered medical school. After realizing she wasn't going to be the next Doogie Howser, M.D., Kate wandered into the Literature department of her university and never looked back. Today, she is in possession of a piece of paper that says to the world she owns a Literature degree. To make matters worse, she took Master's courses in creative writing. In the end, she realized to be a writer, none of what she had mattered. What really mattered? Writing. Plain and simple, honest to God, sitting in front of her computer, writing. Today, she has four completed Young Adult novels"

Gorgeous cover!! This is going to my TBR Wishlist pile!! :-)

The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle


The Lure of Shapinsay  about an independent young woman named Kait, who after an unfortunate situation occurs becomes interested in learning about the magical Selkies. Although knowing that the Selkies can be dangerous, Kait falls deeply in love with a certain Selkie she named Eamon.

The Lure of Shapinsay is a beautifully written story set in the 1800's Scotland. Honestly, I was nervous about reading this. I am more of a contemporary YA/Chicklit reader and have tried to read historical romances in the past and failed. I just can't seem to ever get into them. But when Krista Holle went out of her way to contact me and offered The Lure of Shapinsay in exchange for an honest review and I just couldn't say no. I am SO glad I said yes and I am so glad that she contacted me. I would have honestly never read this and would have missed out tremendously.

Being that the book is set in 1800's Scotland the language can be a bit difficult at first but after awhile I got use to it and strongly suggest anyone reading to not give up, keep reading!

It was also fun to have a husband who is obsessed with folklore/mythology, especially Norse mythology. I stumped him a little by asking him what a Selkie was, he thought it was a mermaid.

The Lure of Shapinsay is a refreshingly great read, extremely interesting characters and a beautiful love story.  I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to mature young adults and adults!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

In My Mailbox (3)


My computer is not agreeing with me at all lately so I will be skipping the covers! :(



In my mailbox - paperbacks won via giveaways



Anew: The Archers of Avalon, Book One by Chelsea Fine  won via giveaway by MK @ PopcornReads.com

Hummingbird Heart by Robin Stevenson  won via Librarything


Christina and MK -Thank you so much!!




R.A.K. e-book gifts!!


Falling Under by Gwen Hayes  via Andrea @ http://thebusybibliophile.com/


Almost Home by Jessica Blank  via Lily@ http://www.lillyreader.blogspot.com 


Andrea and Lily, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!








Saturday, February 18, 2012

Someone Else's Life by Katie Dale



Someone Else's Life is about a seventeen year old girl named Rosie, who's mother just passed away from Huntington's disease. Struggling with the loss of her mother Rosie discovers that she was switched at birth.

Someone Else's Life is a well written beautiful book. It started out slow for me but after awhile it strongly held my interest. It was like reading a soap opera, so many lives were changed during the book and there were a few plot twists. The characters were interesting and well described. The only problem I had was the boyfriends ...in my opinion they were both a bit lame and after awhile they were just kind of forgotten about. They would come back every now and then but for the most part I honestly don't remember what happened with them.


I do recommend Someone Else's Life to teens and adults and rate 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a e-galley via Netgalley in exchanged for an honest review

Sunday, February 12, 2012

In My Mailbox (2)



             Quite a busy week for me! So many books so little time!!! 




Won ebook via Wanda @ http://booksarewonderfulmagic.blogspot.com/

Thank you I LOVED this book!!!





Won a paperback ARC via Keren @ http://gothicangelbookreviews.blogspot.com/









FOR REVIEW (all e-book versions)




All's Fair In Vanities War by Elizabeth Marx









Party Girl Crashes the Rapture by M.E. Purfield

Voodoo Deadly by Sibel Hodge

Silver Knight by Caron Rider

Deluge by S.B. Sebrick
Decoy by S.B. Sebrick

Veiled Virtues by Jan Fischer-Wade

The Lure of Shapinsay by Krista Holle


FYI  I tried for over an hour to post the covers along with the links but my computer is not agreeing with me  Grrr



RAK

A very special thank you to @Dizneee from http://dizneeeeswonderfulworldofbooks.blogspot.com/

She gifted me a kindle version of  Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Miss World by Randi Black




 
Miss World by Randi Black is a about Kim, a chubby 16 year old who loves Kurt Cobain, Doc martins, and wants to become a musician like her idol. Set in the early/mid '90's, we learn about Kim's life, her emotionally abusive parents and her self esteem issues.

OK, I just have to say right away- I LOVE this beautiful and heartbreaking book!! This is the first book in a LONG time that I was truly upset when it ended. I want more. I don't know if its the fact that I was a teenager in the 90's, i wore Doc Martins, blackberry lipstick, listened to Nirvana, Hole, grunge and punk (I was more of a Misfits fan than anything) etc.. was in the "freak" crowd or the fact I had major self esteem issues with my weight so much that I completely understand from experience what Kim went through in regards to boys (yeah I'm calling them boys..Kevin was grown up boy!) Luckily I did not have emotionally abusive parents and my home life was MUCH better!

I read Miss World in one sitting. This isn't a cookie cutter fluffy contemporary YA book, this is a blunt and unfortunately realistic look into a teenage life. I highly recommend this to anyone however due to the sexual content I would recommend this to the mature YA crowd or older.
Miss World needs to be read!!

5 OUT OF 5 STARS

The Stuttering Tattoo by Greg Logsted


The Stuttering Tattoo is about Steven a high school "boy next door" type who instantly falls for the new girl Becky. After offering her a ride home after school they discover a severed arm in Becky's yard. Then begins the mystery and Steven slowly begins to realize that there is alot more to Becky then he thought.

For the most part, I liked the Stuttering Tattoo, it was easy to read, I enjoyed the characters..but after awhile I honestly just wanted it to end.
I recommend Stuttering Tattoo to the mature young adult crowd and overall for me it was just ..OK..

I rate The Stuttering Tattoo 3 out of 5 stars and received an e-galley via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

All's Fair in Vanities War (The Seer's Seven Deadly Fairy Tales) by Elizabeth Marx REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY



 All's Fair in Vanities War is a well written story enriched with magical Celtic mythology mixed with American history from Salem. In the beginning we learn about The Seer, who has been sacrificed to watch and protect Keleigh who is a ExtraOrdinary. The Seer is torn over her duties because her former boyfriend, Locke (a druid and part of the order) falls for Keleigh. 

All's Fair is an interesting story filled with mystery, action, romance, and humor. All's Fair isn't a light read, you need to give it all of your attention or you might miss something. There are many well written characters and I hope we hear more about the supporting characters!

Overall I rate All's Fair in Vanities War 4 out of 5 stars- I enjoyed the originality but the writing style did become a bit confusing at times. However, I did enjoy it and cant wait to see what Elizabeth Marx will write next!!

I was honored to receive an e-book copy of All's Fair in Vanities War via the author Elizabeth Marx in exchange for an honest review.

I am also happy to announce my very first GIVEAWAY. Weeeeee!
 
2 Lucky winners will win an E-book copy of All's Fair in Vanities War and and autographed bookmark!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Tangi's Teardrop by Liz Grace Davis



Tangi's Teardrops is a story about a poor young girl named Tangi, who's father recently passed away, leaving her nothing but three small glass bottles. She and her mean step sisters go to live with her Uncle. While her Uncle is away for work, Tangi gets treated horribly not only by her sisters but the housekeeper. One night Tanji has a dream that changes her life forever...

Tangi's Teardrops was such a beautifully written story. You are not just reading the story, you are shown it. I pictured every detail in my mind. Absolutely great writing. The only problem I have with Tangi's Teardrops is that its too short. I would have love to see more adventures in Rosevine. Hopefully this means that there will be a second book.

Tangi's Teardrops is a clean book and I highly recommend it to anyone young or old. I rate this 5 out of 5 stars

Sunday, February 5, 2012

In My Mailbox (1)


In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren
I have been meaning to post this for weeks now and have just kept putting it off. Im going to try and post this weekly from now on. This post will include Jan. books as well.


Literally recieved in my mail box:
via Librarything










Kindle

For review via the authors:





Kindle:










Kindle:
via Librarything
















And finally all of my lovely Kindle January R.A.K gifts:




Glazed Murder via Lethea B. a.k.a. @Luvdaylilies (twitter)










Craved via Lethea B. a.k.a. @Luvdaylilies (twitter)











Saturday, February 4, 2012

First Date by Krista Mcgee


First Date by Krista Mcgee is about Addy, an orphaned daughter of missionaries, who gets selected to be on a realty tv show about winning a dream prom date with the hunky presidents' son. Addy did not want to be in the spot light but reluctantly went on the show.


First Date is a clean christian contemporary YA read. That in my opinion, could have a little less "christian-ness" to it. I am not a a religious person but I dont mind reading YA books with light religious themes. First Date was a little heavy on it, so if thats your thing- go for it! I don't want to give spoilers but when Addy learns more about what happened to her missionary parents, it was really really sad and might be a sensitive subject to the really young YA readers.


Although the chemistry between Addy and Jonathan (the presidents son) was good, I would have liked to have read more scenes with the two of them together.


Oh, and it was nice seeing the name Jonathan, thats my husbands name :)


Overall, I rate First Date 3 out of 5 stars, its was a nice easy read.


I received an e-galley via Netgalley and Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review