Sunday, July 31, 2011

True Blood S4 E6: I Wish I Was The Moon

I Wish I Was The Moon:
Sookie searches for Jason under a full moon; Marnie connects with spirits of the past; Arlene and Terry cope with a suspicious inferno; Debbie urges Alcide to join a new werewolf community; Tommy trades places with Sam; Lafayette feels the spirit in Mexico; Eric surrenders to his King's will.




  • There was a lot of hopping around this week. I felt like I was watching a soap.
  • I almost forgot about shifter chick telling the story about a shifter killing a family member and then being able to turn into a person afterwards. But after seeing the "previously on" clip in the beginning I figured Tommy was going to shift into a person just wasn't sure who. Well he managed to screw Sam over, again.
  • Ok, Bill is not an ass hat this week for releasing Eric.
  • I thought maybe Jason wouldn't shift like in the books. Looks like him and Jess might have something starting.
  • Sookie didn't seem to mind the mosquitoes once Eric showed up in the woods.
This week was a little slow in my book. Still good but slow.




Next week:


Cold Grey Light of Dawn
With Marnie empowered by spirits of the dead, Bill issues an unpopular order to save vampires from the light. Eric embraces his amnesia; Luna discovers Sam is not the man she thought he was; Lafayette expands his consciousness; Pam gets a body peel; Andy's date with Holly doesn't go as planned; Jessica has doubts about her future with Hoyt; Alcide and Debbie join a new pack.



Summer Giveaway Hop


The Summer Giveaway Hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & BookHounds
This hop is scheduled to run August 1st to 7th.

There will be TWO (2) winners ...

$10 e-gift card to Amazon or B&N (US)
A book valued up to $10 from Book Depository (International).


How to enter:
Leave comment with email address and if you are US or Int.
You do not have to be a follower but it is appreciated.

Winners will be picked by Random.org and posted on August 8th.
Good luck and don't forget to visit the many other blogs on the hop. I know I will.




In My Mailbox



In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It showcases new books that I've purchases, checked out from the library, or received for review.




I managed to stick to my "not buying any books until I get some of  the ones I already have read" again this week. I did check out an audio book from the library. And I received a book for review.





Sapphique: Incarceron Series, Book 2 (Unabridged)
By Catherine Fisher 
Narrated By Kim Mai Guest 


Dante's Diary: Vampire Lore and More


  

Saturday, July 30, 2011

REVIEW: Initiate by Tara Maya



The Unfinished Song: Initiate
by Tara Maya
My Copy: Received from Author for review
BUY: Amazon / B&N
RATING: DNF
DEADLY INITIATION
A DETERMINED GIRL...
Dindi can't do anything right, maybe because she spends more time dancing with pixies than doing her chores. Her clan hopes to marry her off and settle her down, but she dreams of becoming a Tavaedi, one of the powerful warrior-dancers whose secret magics are revealed only to those who pass a mysterious Test during the Initiation ceremony. The problem? No-one in Dindi's clan has ever passed the Test. Her grandmother died trying. But Dindi has a plan.
AN EXILED WARRIOR...
Kavio is the most powerful warrior-dancer in Faearth, but when he is exiled from the tribehold for a crime he didn't commit, he decides to shed his old life. If roving cannibals and hexers don't kill him first, this is his chance to escape the shadow of his father's wars and his mother's curse. But when he rescues a young Initiate girl, he finds himself drawn into as deadly a plot as any he left behind. He must decide whether to walk away or fight for her... assuming she would even accept the help of an exile.


REVIEW:

This is the 1st book in a while that I've not be able to finish. I have a 50 page requirement; if I'm not hooked by 50 pages then I move on. And I'm sorry to say that was the case with The Unfinished Song: Initiate by Tara Maya.

I felt like I was reading book two in a series or started in the middle of a book. I was a little lost in the plot line and characters. I don't think there was enough back story given in the beginning of the book and found myself lost in some of the terminology that was used. I needed a glossary for some of the terms that I assume was fae language.

Even though I couldn't get into the book doesn't mean fae fans shouldn't check it out, it's been getting a lot of four star ratings on Amazon and Goodreads. It just wasn't for me.







Thank You R.A.K.{July}



The lovely ladies over at Book Soulmates has created Random Acts of Kindness. Each month you can sign up with your book wish list. Some months you might get a free book(s) other months you may not.  But the idea is to spread the love and give books to others and hope you get some in return.


Since my pockets are going to get hit hard in August & September because of blog hops and  follower giveaway(s); I'm going to sit out August & September, then return in October .





RECEIVED:


Backstage Pass (Sinners on Tour #1)   Rock Hard (Sinners on Tour #2)



 The Vespertine (The Vespertine, #1)

Matched by Ally Condie
The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell
Thanks








SENT:


The Host (The Host, #1)

To: Asheley @ Into the Hall of Books


Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, #1)  Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men (Jane Jameson, #2)  Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson, #3)

To: Stephanie @ Paper Cut Reviews




   


To: Danielle @ Ramblings From This Chick







Friday, July 29, 2011

Follow Friday

Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee.com.
This week's featured Blogger is:

The Book Addicted Girl

This week's question:

Q. Let's step away from books for a second and get personal. What T-Shirt slogan best describes you?

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Book Trailer: One Grave at a Time by Jeaniene Frost

Jeaniene Frost has posted on her blog the book trailer and Chapters 1-3 of One Grave at a Time, the 6th book in her AWESOME Night Huntress series.

Check out the trailer and wallpaper below. 





To read Chapters 1-3 go to Jeaniene Frost's blog.








Is is August 30th yet?!

Will you read the 3 first chapters now? 
I can't do that to myself. I'll probably wait until the day before release day to start it.

WINNER: The Paladin by Ken Newman




Random.org has spoken and the winner is

Congrats!! 


MINI - REVIEW: Ecstatic Evil by Amanda McNeil




by Amanda McNeil
The cover art by Erin Soares
BUY: Amazon 
My copy: Received for review by author

Tova Gallagher isn't just your average tough as nails, intelligent Bostonian. She also just so happens to be half-demon, and halvesies have an important role to play in the supe world. Whether they choose to go with the instincts of their demon or human half is supposed to predict the outcome of the endtimes, and now Tova has a deadline to choose sides. But all of that is hard to care about when she's just met a sexy stranger on the edge of the Charles River.

Tova Gallagher Series is designed for the modern, busy, paranormal romance fan. Every entry in this series is short enough to read in one sitting, such as on a train, plane, or long lunch break and is priced at just 99 cents. Get your paranormal romance in bite-sized chunks!

REVIEW:


I received Ecstatic Evil for review from Amanda McNeil and I was a little put off by the cover but I’m glad that I didn't judge Ecstatic Evil by its cover. Ecstatic Evil has all the fundamentals of a great story; well-developed characters and a plot that makes you want to read more. McNeil did a great job of writing this novella.

Tova is a successful bookstore owner in her twenties, living in Boston. But she is far from normal; she’s half demon. All her life she had visits from both the demons and faerie trying to get her to choose their side.
Tova’s demon cousin, Bartleby gives her an ultimatum that she must choose sides before her 25th birthday; she only has two months to decide if she wants to be good or evil forever.

While she is having this internal struggle of good and evil; she meets a sexy guy named Greg. But Greg has his own secret life and after a few dates and some hot sex; they learn about each other’s secret lives. And Greg ends up helping Tova with her tug-of-war between the demons and faeries.

I read Ecstatic Evil in one sitting and I look forward to reading the next installment in the series about Tova. I recommend this novella to anyone that wants a great short paranormal romance read.

RATING:

Dirty Little Secret


Dirty Little Secret is a weekly meme hosted by Under the Covers. Every Thursday we get to know other bloggers and our readers more intimately by asking them a question hoping to reveal their dirty little secrets.  We hope that you will all join us!





This weeks question:

"The cougar is in town...Which YA hero makes you wish they were legal?"

Answer: 

I've not read that many YA books (yet, I have a ton on my TBR list) but as of right now I would say Jacob Black from the Twilight Series.


  






 Who's your jail bait choice?

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

MINI - REVIEW: Conrad's First Girl by Varian Krylov






Conrad's First Girl
by Varian Krylov

Conrad has planned an abduction, but before he can execute his perfect crime, he needs a little practice bending reluctant virgins to his will. Enter Elsie, Conrad's first girl. A prequel to Varian Krylov's bestselling "ABDUCTION!"




REVIEW:


Conrad's First Girl is nothing but a hot teaser. Conrad meets Elsie in a coffee shop and asks for her phone number. Elsie being a "plain Jane" can't understand why a hot guy like Conrad would talk to her let alone call her for a date. Expecting a kiss at the end of their first date, Elsie gets more than she bargained for. 


Conrad's First Girl is a short erotic read with a lot of hot fore play and not much of anything else. If you are looking for a "quickie" smut filled read then you will enjoy it. Although just as it's getting good it ends. Shame on you Ms. Krylov for leaving me hanging. I wanted to know what Elsie's answer was to Conrad's last question for her.


RATING:



Waiting on Wednesday {18}



Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're anxiously awaiting.
I've enjoyed Kimberly Spencer's A Faerie Tale Girl Series and I can't wait to read the 3rd Novella. 





Triquetra: 
A Faerie Tale Girl Novella,#3 (Faerie Tale Girl)
by Kimberly Spencer 

Jensen’s dirty little secret is out and both Courts are after her. Now if she wants to remain the master of her destiny, she must do the one thing no one else has done before—locate the bones of Merlin. Because in the game of Light vs Dark, whoever controls his bones, controls her fate.





What to see my reviews of Novella 1 & 2?
Shimmerspell
(FREE on Smashwords)
Limmerick
($0.99 at Amazon / B&N / Smashwords)

Lore: A Faerie Tale Girl Prequel
(FREE on Smashwords)

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Teaser Tuesday: Incarceron


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme.
 Hosted by



"Only the man who has known freedom
Can define his prison."


Monday, July 25, 2011

REVIEW + GIVEAWAY: The Paladin by Ken Newman


The Paladin
by Ken Newman
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published by Sunbury Press
Release Date: May 5th 2011
My Copy: Received from author for review
Trade Paperback, 272 pages

BUY: Amazon / B&N / Sunbury Press


"Tongue-in-cheek action-adventure in the genre of 'Kill Bill' and 'Hell Boy' --- the Publisher"

Larry is an angel of the Lord... retired. To avoid final judgment and rather warm room without a view he seeks to make amends by helping humanity against spiritual darkness. Unable to directly interfere, he must use a human to do his dirty work, or as he calls them... Paladins. A lonely kindergarten teacher, Harriet Smith, dreaming of romance and an exciting life of high adventure, has no idea that she has been chosen... that is until she is kidnapped by a five year old, and reborn as the sultry, Maggie Black. Maggie is about to find that the world is a far different place than she could have ever imagined as she faces shape shifting hit men, psychotic witches, and four thousand year old living weapons of mass destruction. Fortunately, Maggie isn't alone, as Silas Cole, a deceased Paladin, comes to her aid, possessing the body of his murdered great grandson. Maggie soon falls in love with the dashing Silas, but finds that to save humanity, she must sacrifice the man she loves.

REVIEW:

The Paladin by Ken Newman was a nice change of reading pace for me (meaning no smut LOL). How can you not like a book with a fallen angel named Larry?! Ok so Larry recruits Harry Smith, a kindergarten teacher, to help him with his fight against evil.

Harry has an unhealthy obsession with a book character named the Blue Fox (don’t we all have that obsession with a character?). Harry dreams of having an action filled life like the Blue Fox and when she meets her new student, Larry Angel, she gets her wish. After passing Larry’s test, Harry is transformed into Maggie Black.

Maggie (aka Harry) is a kick ass chick that swings a bad ass sword named Kali. That’s right the sword has a name, but this is no ordinary sword; it’s actually a demon identity that is trapped in the sword. Kali is a gift from Larry to help Maggie with her new job as his Paladin. Larry also gifts Maggie with The Big Book of Paladin Secrets, which Maggie renames Big Book of Spooky Stuff.

Maggie is tasked with the assignment of keeping the vessel that holes an evil creature from being found. Larry’s last Paladin, Silas Cole is the one that contained the evil creature in the vessel and hide it. During her new found life, Maggie runs into several bad guys and finds a few new friends along the way.

I highly recommend The Paladin to any urban fantasy fan that loves to read about a heroine that starts out as an unlikely hero that grows into a kick ass chick. Newman did a great job of keeping me entertained and there was so many twisted that I could not pretend the end of the book, which is a sign of a great writer, in my opinion. I also liked the fact that Newman was not afraid to let a few of his characters die and don’t expect a nice clean ending with a bow on it. There are few things left hanging which I hope means that The Paladin is the first in a line of many more books about Maggie and/or Larry.


RATING:



GIVEAWAY:
CLOSED

Mr. Newman has been so kind as to offer up a signed copy of The Paladin for a giveaway. All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address and a winner will be picked by Random.org. Deadline to enter giveaway is Wednesday, July 27th at 11:59pm (central time). The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 28th.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Is a meme hosted by Shelia over at Book Journey

Seeing as I only have a couple of weeks before the Fall Semester and soccer practice/games start for me and my son; I taking the next two weeks to catch up on my Received for Review pile.

This week I'm hoping to get the following read.




The Unfinished Song: InitiateThe Unfinished Song: Initiate
by Tara Maya

DEADLY INITIATION
A DETERMINED GIRL...
Dindi can't do anything right, maybe because she spends more time dancing with pixies than doing her chores. Her clan hopes to marry her off and settle her down, but she dreams of becoming a Tavaedi, one of the powerful warrior-dancers whose secret magics are revealed only to those who pass a mysterious Test during the Initiation ceremony. The problem? No-one in Dindi's clan has ever passed the Test. Her grandmother died trying. But Dindi has a plan.
AN EXILED WARRIOR...
Kavio is the most powerful warrior-dancer in Faearth, but when he is exiled from the tribehold for a crime he didn't commit, he decides to shed his old life. If roving cannibals and hexers don't kill him first, this is his chance to escape the shadow of his father's wars and his mother's curse. But when he rescues a young Initiate girl, he finds himself drawn into as deadly a plot as any he left behind. He must decide whether to walk away or fight for her... assuming she would even accept the help of an exile.



Ecstatic Evil (Tova Gallagher)Ecstatic Evil (Tova Gallagher)
by Amanda McNeil

Tova Gallagher isn't just your average tough as nails, intelligent Bostonian. She also just so happens to be half-demon, and halvesies have an important role to play in the supe world. Whether they choose to go with the instincts of their demon or human half is supposed to predict the outcome of the endtimes, and now Tova has a deadline to choose sides. But all of that is hard to care about when she's just met a sexy stranger on the edge of the Charles River.





Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)Caged in Darkness (Caged #1)
by J.D. Stroube 
Author interview and giveaway on August 9th
A witch raised in a cage of darkness...

Savannah Cross was born into a life of isolation and abuse. As a child, she witnessed her parents perform acts of malevolent evil, and now feels permanently tainted by their dark deeds.

When a coven discovers a tear stricken child, wounded on their elders lawn, they offer her a sanctuary she has never known. Savannah spends the next several years shattered, continuously looking over her shoulder, waiting for the darkness to claim her.

On her 16th birthday, Savannah’s life takes a drastic turn.She is consumed by overwhelming power that forever alters her emotionally and physically.

She must choose between two loves; the one who taught her to smile or the darkly seductive stranger who tempts her towards another path. Savannah must decide between the coven that was her haven and another one vying for her initiation. Just as Savannah begins to grasp what fate has in store for her, an evil looms over her loved ones; coming to claim an unbreakable debt.

How will she choose and survive the greatest evil she has ever witnessed... long enough to have a choice to make.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

True Blood S4 E5: Me and the Devil


Me and the Devil:
Sookie nurtures Eric; Bill gets involved personally in the necromancy crisis; Pam takes the veil; Sam becomes Tommy's accomplice; Arlene and Terry look to religion to solve their problem; Jesus and Lafayette head to Mexico to harness a shaman's power; Jason convalesces.



  • FINALLY - Sookie and Eric kiss. I know it's not the 1st time but still...
  • Poor Pam.
  • Tommy finally offed Joe Lee. Although I believe the momma was just as bad as Joe Lee; I do feel a little sorry for Tommy about him killing her.
  • Bill did make me laugh this week with the whole Portia running and screaming.
  • Tara's momma did marry the reverend like she said she would last season. Arlene "You People" LOL. What a dumbass.
  • I don't blame Tara for running out on Sookie. Probably one of the smarter things she has done. But I'm sure next week she will do something stupid again.
  • WTF with Lafayette's hair? Did they buy hair weave by the ton and now that Tara's not wearing it they have to use it on someone else?
  • Jason having a dream about Jessica and ended up with Hoyt on top of him. LMAO!!! Oh my gravy.
  • Wonder if Alcide and Sam will work together on the pack leader. He's Sam new woman's ex.
  • Looks like Bill might be walking in on Sookie and Eric next week??


In My Mailbox {18}





In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren. It showcases new books that I've purchases, checked out from the library, or received for review.




I was a good girl this week and didn't buy any books but I did receive a few for review.




The Initiation of Ms Holly (Xcite Novels)The Initiation of Ms Holly
K D Grace
Genre: Erotic romance
Publisher: Xcite Books
Blurb:
Journalist, Rita Holly, never dreamed sex with the mysterious Edward in the dark of a malfunctioning train would lead to a blindfolded, champagne-drenched tango, a spanking by a butch waitress, and an offer of initiation into the exclusive mysteries of The Mount. Desperate to save her threatened job, she agrees, scheming secretly to write an inside exposé on the club that will make her career. But as she delves deeper into the intrigue of The Mount and the lives of its members, she soon discovers that her heart may have other plans.


The Pet ShopThe Pet Shop
K D Grace
Genre: Erotic romance
Publisher: Xcite Books
Blurb:
An erotic novel by best-selling author K D Grace.
In appreciation for a job well done, STELLA JAMES 's boss sends her a pet – a human pet. The mischievous TINO comes straight from THE PET SHOP complete with a collar, a leash, and an erection. Stella soon discovers the pleasure of keeping Pets, especially this one, is extremely addicting.
Obsessed with Tino and with the reclusive philanthropist, VINCENT EVANSTON, who looks like Tino, but couldn’t be more different, Stella is drawn into the secret world of The Pet Shop. As her animal lust awakens, Stella must walk the thin line that separates the business of pleasure from the more dangerous business of the heart or suffer the consequences.


Coffee at Little Angels
Nadine Rose Larter
Blurb:
Phillip, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Maxine, Grant, Melanie and Josh grew up in a small town where they spent their high school years together as an inseparable clique. But high school has ended, and they are all living their own “grown up” lives, each under the impression that their group has basically come to an end. When Phillip dies in a hit and run accident, Kaitlyn summons the others to all come back home, forcing a reunion that no one is particularly interested in partaking in.
Coffee at Little Angels follows how each character deals with the death of a childhood friend while at the same time dealing with their own ignored demons after years of separation. Events unfold as the group tries to rekindle the friendship they once shared to honour the memory of a friend they will never see again.


Ecstatic Evil (Tova Gallagher)Ecstatic Evi
by Amanda McNeil 
Blurb:
Tova Gallagher isn't just your average tough as nails, intelligent Bostonian. She also just so happens to be half-demon, and halvesies have an important role to play in the supe world. Whether they choose to go with the instincts of their demon or human half is supposed to predict the outcome of the endtimes, and now Tova has a deadline to choose sides. But all of that is hard to care about when she's just met a sexy stranger on the edge of the Charles River.


And I won an ebook.




Realm of Fire
by Leanore Elliott
The meanest, grittiest work on Earth, fighting a demon with a roaring power to burn away land, animals and human flesh from the bone. Belle was doing what she'd dreamed of, for her whole life. She was a Hotshot, part of the most elite force in the world of firefighters. All her dreams about fighting fire had come true. And that's when the nightmares began. Dreams of that all encompassing fire which reappeared again and again.... Burned charcoal-like remnants of what used to be living things lie scattered in an endless, gruesome array. She searched through the gloom and there was no trace of anything alive, while the death of scorched earth, trees and brush spread out before her vision. “Belle!” The voice shouted in her ear as she sat upright. She peered down to find her uniform and all of her fire gear burned away from her body. It was the voice of Saxon one of the crew members.He was always there while she fought fires and while she fought the nightmares. Was it premonition? Or was she cracking up? Maybe it was all manipulated by him and he was after her, but why? Nothing is as it seems in the Realm––The Realm Of Fire.

Thanks Satin's Bookish Corner for the giveaway!




I checkout an audio book from the library.



Incarceron
by Catherine Fisher
Incarceron is a prison unlike any other: Its inmates live not only in cells, but also in metal forests, dilapidated cities, and unbounded wilderness. The prison has been sealed for centuries, and only one man, legend says, has ever escaped.
Finn, a seventeen-year-old prisoner, can't remember his childhood and believes he came from the Outside. He's going to escape, even though most inmates don't believe that the Outside even exists. One day Finn gains possession of a crystal key, and through it, meets a girl named Claudia.
Claudia claims to live Outside-her father is the Warden of Incarceron and she's doomed to an arranged marriage. If she helps Finn escape, she will need his help in return.
But they don't realize that there is more to Incarceron than meets the eye. Escape will take their greatest courage and cost far more than they know, because Incarceron is alive.