Sunday, November 28, 2010

Hoppping for the weekend!

It's time for the weekly Book Blogger Hop hosted by Crazy For Books!!  :-)

Book Blogger Hop

This week's question comes from Sarah who blogs at Writer, Reader, Dreamer:
 
 "What is your favorite book cover?"
 

Glimmerglass (Faeriewalker, Book 1)

Okay, I have so many books on my bookshelf, I really couldn't pick just ONE!

I can say, that during my last trip to the bookstore, this cover intrigued me SOOO much that I had to bring this book home with me.  I just started it tonight, so let's see if you really can judge a book by it's cover!

Glimmerglass - Jenna Black

I don't know what really got me about this cover, I just felt it was so unique.  Not to mention sparkly.  Sparkles will get me EVERY freaking time!
 
 
 

Friday, November 26, 2010

Review - Undead and Unworthy

Undead and Unworthy (Queen Betsy, Book 7)

Having recently lost her dad and step-mother, Betsy Sinclair (nee Taylor) is adjusting to rather more than just married life. Their untimely deaths have left her and Sinclair as sole guardians of her little brother, Jon. Two vampire parents - albeit vampire royalty - for a decidedly human baby.

Still, Betsy is more than up for the challenge.  If only everyone would stop being so nervous around her, given her sudden recent burst of power (not to mention how she saved her best friend’s life.) Betsy most emphatically Does Not Want To Discuss It, and for the moment, everyone is following her lead.

But then the ghost of Betsy's step-mother turns up at their house. And as stubborn and insufferable as she was in life, she's even more annoying in death... Especially as regards her untimely demise as all Betsy’s fault.

Okay, there is NOTHING epic about this book, or really any of these books if you ask me.  (What?!  You weren't asking me!?)

Seriously, I read the six before this one right around the time they were released, and just kinda have given up on them.  It seemed each story was the same, and the only thing that really kept me coming back was the dialog.  Betsy is a smart-ass, and really...so are her friends, but hey, who doesn't enjoy a smart-ass?

I came across Undead and Unworthy for the BARGAIN price of $5 at Barnes and Noble (I see Amazon has it for $3...but oh well).

Now...I RARELY have books just sitting on my shelf that I haven't read, but this one was one of them.  I wanted to file it away nicely after Undead and Uneasy, and be done with it.  Well, it has come to a time where I am waiting for Last Sacrifice and am without reading material.  I simply cannot take a bubble bath without a book!!  So...I freed this baby from the confines of my swelling bookshelf and had at her.

Am I glad I read this book?  Yeah, actually, I am.  Some of the stuff that comes out of Betsy's mouth really does just make me laugh out loud.  The book isn't to be taken seriously, just to be enjoyed on a cold winter night, and that is what I did with it! 

I don't really think this book is something I can pick apart for review purposes. 

Yeah, it's repetitive.  Yeah, there is no real character growth.  Yeah, it still makes me laugh out loud. 

I'd recommend this book for a laugh, and for something different, but I sure wouldn't tell you to run out and buy it.  Maybe take a field trip to the library, if you don't owe them fines that is.  It definitely sheds vampires in a different light, or should I say...shadow...hmm...


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Great Kindle Debate...

I "borrowed" my Dad's Kindle tonight. 

I've got to say, I am a huge fan of laying with a book, turning the pages, even...breaking the binding, (Sorry Straylights) HOWEVER...I really love the fact that I can just download a sample of any book I'm thinking of reading and see if I can get into it.  I'm a huge believer that if you can't snare my attention by the first few chapters, your book isn't worth my time.

Anybody else have thoughts on Kindle vs. Paperback/Hardcover?  I'd love to hear them!

Please, vote in my poll and share your answer if you'd like!!!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

WoW - Last Sacrifice

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine where we share what books we are most looking forward to.




Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: December 7th, 2010



Last Sacrifice (Vampire Academy, Book 6)




Perhaps I have tooooo many books that I read, because upon checking the release date for this series...I found out...THIS IS THE LAST BOOK!!!  Let me just say, I am a HUGE Richelle Mead fan, and actually started this series after reading Succubus Blues.  I really liked the story Richelle produced and was interested to see what else she had published.

At first, I found this book to slightly remind me of Marked: A House of Night Novel.  Following the whole school concept...kind of a Harry Potter, where all these kids have some kind of supernatural thing going on and battle evil.  Good thing I'm a huge Potter fan, (saw the premier at midnight!!) because these books just keep me enthralled.

I've gotta say, I am eagerly awaiting this release, and I hope the conclusion does not disappoint. 

TEAM ADRIAN.  Sorry, Dimitri.

From Goodreads: 

 

The astonishing final novel in Richelle Mead's epic series!

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice. Now, with Rose on trial for her life and Lissa first in line for the Royal Throne, nothing will ever be the same between them.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Review - Would-Be Witch

Would-Be Witch

Kimberly Frost

I take book donations.  I mostly take them from my BFF's bookshelf.  :-)  She gives me a stack she didn't really enjoy every now and then, and then I give them a crack.

Okay...so this book...I'm a redhead, I love cats...after looking at the cover...why not give it a try?

I certainly can't say I DIDN'T like this book, but I'm still not sure if I really did. 

The family magic seems to have skipped over Tammy Jo Trask. All she gets are a few untimely visits from long-dead, smart-mouthed family ghost Edie. But when her locket—an heirloom that happens to hold Edie’s soul—is stolen in the midst of a town-wide crime spree, it’s time for Tammy to find her inner witch.

After a few experiences with her dysfunctional magic, Tammy turns to the only person in small-town Duval, Texas, who can help: the very rich and highly magical Bryn Lyons. He might have all the answers—and a 007 savoir faire to boot—but the locket isn’t the only heirloom passed down in Tammy’s family. She also inherited a warning: stay away from Lyons.

Tammy Jo is a divorcee, who still gets frisky with her ex and lives a married life, without actually living together.  She still cares about Zach, still fools around with him, and still get jealous when certain slutty witches are even TALKING to him.  I guess that's what rubbed me wrong about this book.  It was made perfectly clear in this book that Tammy Jo and Zach weren't together any longer, but still seemed to the reader that they were a married couple.  Tammy Jo still visits, spends time with and schedules "family" dinners with her ex and in-laws.  It was all very strange.  It seemed like Ms. Frost wrote this in so that Tammy Jo could fool around with the delectable Mr. Lyons without being a cheating ho-bag. 

Even though I like a "bad guy" who's really "good", I couldn't help but find myself torn between wanting her to get it on with the rich, handsome and darkly mysterious Mr. Lyons, or sticking with her "ex" husband, Zach.  Every time Tammy Jo would "share magic" with Bryn, I would feel kind of excited, and kind of bad for Zach.  Not to mention, I think the sexy scenes could have been a BIT more detailed.  Okay, a lot more detailed...:-) 

There was a mystery, a crime to solve, some zombie scenes and some magic...all things I really dig, just not necessarily the plot I would have chosen.  The saving factors of this book for me were: Mercutio, the ocelot/house cat/protector of Tammy Jo, and Johnny - the flamboyantly gay local hair dresser/dress maker.  I found these to be the only enjoyable dialog exchanges in the book.

There were too many unanswered questions at the end of this book.  Usually that would keep a reader on the edge of their seat, awaiting the next installment.  With me, it kind of pissed me off and left me unfulfilled after a whole night of reading.

Will I read the next one?  Probably, because I have OCD and once I start a series, I usually have to continue.  Would I recommend it?  Probably not, unless you're taking a bubble bath and DESPERATELY need something to read in order to relax. 

Friday, November 19, 2010

Hopping Around, Blog Style.

Book Blogger Hop

Inspired by Twitter Follow Friday, Book Blogger Hop is a weekly meme hosted by Jennifer of Crazy for Books. The Hop is held between Friday-Monday for book bloggers and readers to connect. Jennifer also posts a question/topic each week. This week's topic question topic is:

"Since Thanksgiving is coming up next week, let's use this week's Hop to share what we are most thankful for and what our holiday traditions are!"

This question is deep!! 

I'm thankful for my life.  It might not be the best or easiest at times, but I live it surrounded by the best friends and family anybody could ever ask for. 

Unfortunately, I'm working on Thanksgiving this year...alas...babies don't stop being born on holidays...but the usual holiday celebration for me is about two days of non-stop cooking and then eating until in pain, unbuttoning my pants and watching some good ol' football with my family.

Oh yes, I'm also thankful for books and my followers.  ;-)

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

WoW - This Side of the Grave

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine where we share what books we are most looking forward to.




Author: Jeaniene Frost
Title: This Side of the Grave
Release Date: February 22nd, 2011


This Side of the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 5)

Oh yes, kitten.  I...am a Junkie, and I admit it.  Jeaniene Frost keeps me wanting more with each book she releases.  I love the fact that she keeps it fresh, with stories from different characters, First Drop of Crimson, Eternal Kiss of Darkness, but still continues her original story with the devilish Bones.  Now, I will patiently await the story of Vlad...the man of my naughty dreams, perhaps that will be a WoW down the road...

Danger waits on both sides of the grave.

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield and her vampire husband Bones have fought for their lives, as well as for their relationship. But just when they've triumphed over the latest battle, Cat's new and unexpected abilities threaten to upset a long-standing balance...

With the mysterious disappearance of vampires, rumors abound that a species war is brewing.  A zealot is inciting tensions between the vampires and ghouls, and if these two powerful groups clash, innocent mortals could become collateral damage. Now Cat and Bones are forced to seek help from a dangerous "ally"--the ghoul queen of New Orleans herself. But the price of her assistance may prove more treacherous than even the threat of a supernatural war. ...to say nothing of the repercussions Cat never imagined.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Blog Hoppppping!

Book Blogger Hop

This week's question comes from Vicki who blogs at The Wolf's Den:

 
"What are your feelings on losing followers? Have you ever stopped following a blog?"
 
 
Oh boy!  I only have 8 followers, and I pray that they don't leave me!!!!  I have NEVER stopped following a blog, I obviously joined for a reason!!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

WoW - Dreams of a Dark Warrior

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine where we share what books we are most looking forward to.


This week, I'm patiently waiting on...


Release Date : 02/15/2011
Author: Kresley Cole

From #1 New York Times bestseller Kresley Cole comes this gripping tale of a battle-maddenend warrior driven by revenge and the Valkyrie temptress who haunts his dreams.

He vowed he'd come for her. . .

Murdered before he could wed Regin the Radiant, warlord Aidan the Fierce seeks his beloved through eternity, reborn again and again into new identities, yet with no memory of his past livesonly an endless yearning.

She awaits his return. . .

When Regin encounters Declan Chase, a brutal Celtic soldier, she recognizes her proud warlord reincarnated. But Declan takes her captive, intending retribution against all immortals, unaware that he belongs to their world.

To sate a desire more powerful than death. . .

Yet every reincarnation comes with a price, for Aidan is doomed to die when he remembers his past. To save herself from Declan's torments, will Regin rekindle memories of the passion they once sharedeven if it means once again losing the only man she could ever love?


Oh man!  I freaking LOVE this series...I stumbled across it in July and have read EVERY book she has released so far!  Now, I play the waiting game until Dreams of a Dark Warrior releases!!  Can't wait!!!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Hottt Stuff!!!!

Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark Series, Book 8)


Man, oh man.  Kresley Cole, you sure know how to keep me up at night.  I can't think of another paranormal romance writer who I enjoy more.  I love how each of your books intertwine with the others!  After reading your latest, Demon from the Dark, I have to say...you have a chronic repeat reader on your hands. 

Now if only Straylights @ http://flawlessbinding.blogspot.com/ would crack open the first one, A Hunger Like No Other , she'd see why I'm such a junkie for this series!!!